985 


3   1 


063 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

GIKT   OK 

Mrs.  SARAH  P.  WALS WORTH. 

Received  October,  1894. 
Accessions  No.  ..9.55.30. .      Class  No.  % 


(> 


POEMS. 


BY 


C.    C.    GOODWIN 


MARYSVILLE. 

PRINTED  AT  THE  HERALD  OFFICE. 

'i'SSf; 


DEDICATION. 


MY  BROTHER  JESSE. 

Thou  who  has  borne  so  many  cares  for  me, 

So  many  cares  and  all  so  cheerfully ; 

Thou  who  hast  watched,  and  o'er  my  pillow  hung, 

When  fell  disease  my  suffering  body  wrung ; 

Thou  who  hast  counseled  uie  in  hours  of  need, 

And  given  to  all  my  fault's  so  little  heed ; 

Thou  who  hast  been  brother,  companion,  friend; 

Yea  more,  almost  a  second  parent,  too ; 

Here  these,  some  broken  measures,  I  have  penned, 

An  offering  poor,  I  dedicate  to  you. 

It's  measures  rude,  were  strung  in  dreamy  hours, 

Hours  when  the  world  was  dancing  in  its  glee, 

And  the  highest  motive  to  excite  my  powers 

Has  been  the  hope  some  thought  herein  might  be 

Welcome  in  some  lone  hours  of  thine,  to  thee  ; 

And  should  the  world,  the  cold  unfeeling  mass, 

Proclaim  it  soulless  all,  I  would  not  heed, 

If  o'er  its  failings  thou  could'st  careless  pass, 

And  prize  the  honest  will,  if  not  the  deed. 

But  I  will  cease  this  now  too  prosy  start, 

And  dedicate  it  thine  with  all  my  heart. 

C.  C,  G. 


95; 


CONTENTS. 


MINNIE  MONTGOMERY.  LINES  WRITTEN  AFTER  ATTENDING 

A  DAY  DREAM.  MRS.  EMMA  WALLER'3  CONCERT. 

MY  SISTER.  ESTELLE  POTTER. 

NEW  YEAR,  (1856)  MATILDA  HERON, 

FOURTH  OP  JULY,  (1855)  WANDERINGS  AND  DREAMINGS. 

THE  MEMORY  OF  A  BELOVED  SISTER:  A  DREAM. 


MINNIE  MONTGOMERY, 


CANTO,  I. 

i. 
Ye  spirits,  who  have  haunted  all  my  dreams 

Since  childhood's  morn,  come  and  support  me  now ; 
Come  hover  round  me,  and  with  living  streams 

Of  gushing  fancy,  bathe  my  aching  brow! 

ii. 
Come,  as  thou  dost  in  midnight  dreams  appear, 

With  burning  eyes  and  robes  like  morning  light ; 
Come  chant  thy  music  in  my  eager  ear, 

And  help  me  on  this  waiting  page  indite 

in. 
A  simple  ballad — not  a  song  of  love, 

No  thrilling  romance  filled  with  wondrous  deeds 
Of  peril,  and  of  sacrifice  to  move 

The  pulses  and  the  soul  of  him  who  reads. 

IV. 

But  an  unpolished,  simple  tale  of  life  ; 

Life  as  we  used  to  meet  it  here  of  yore, 
When  men  first  sought  this  land  with  treasure  rife, 

And  named  it  UE1  Dorado,  "  fair,  vile  shore. 


MINNIE   MONTGOMERY. 
V. 

Evening  o'er  San  Francisco  hung  her  mantle  gemm'd  with  stars; 
They  glistened  on  the  dusky  sky,  like  pitying  Angel's  tears ; 
The  solemn  moon  in  splendor,  midst  attending  planets  rode, 
And  seemed  in  all  her  lovliness  a  chariot  of  God; 
Rolling  to  shower  our  darkened  earth  with  floods  of  silver  rays, 
That  haply  hardened  hearts  might  melt  as  it  caught  man's  wand'ring 
gaze. 

VI. 

It  was  an  eve  of  beauty,  such  as  Californians  see 

When  Autumn's  breeze  doth  kiss  the  plains,  and  murmurs  in  the 

tree ; 

When  the  great  sun  'neath  the  ocean  a  mass  of  fire  is  hurled, 
And  shine  the  cooler  lights  of  Heaven  to  gild  our  slumb'ring 

world ; 

In  those  climes  of  blissful  softness  which  on  Pacific  lie, 
Where  for  half  the  sunny  year  scarce  a  cloud  floats  o'er  the  sky; 
It  was  a  night  of  beauty,  and  of  sweetness  fit  to  wean 
From  earth  and  its  hilarities,  the  turbid  hearts  of  men ; 
To  turn  them  from  the  cares  and  frivolities  below, 
Up  to  that  bright  world  whose  people,  no  cares  or  follies  know ; 
To  soften  and  to  gladden,  to  subdue  the  human  heart, 
That  man  might  weary  of  his  sins,  and  from  his  bands  depart. 

VII. 

'Twas  on  such  an  Autumn  evening,  a  young  man  sat  alone ; 

His  hair  in  raven  masses  from  his  lofty  brow  was  thrown, 

His  dark  stern  eyes  in  splendor  beam'd — those  windows  of  the 

mind — 
His  lips  were  close  compressed,  'neath  the  beard  that  round  them 

'twined, 


MINNIE  MONTGOMERY.  9 

On  his  breast  a  diamond  glittered,  a  massy  gem  and  rare, 

And  he  sat  in  his  magnificence,  alone — a  millionaire ; 

A  millionaire  in  San  Francisco,  in  riches  and  in  pride  ; 

In  his  luxuriant  rooms  he  sat  from  all  the  world  aside, 

Holding  stern  and  still  communion  with  his  deep  and  secret  mind, 

As  if  there  some  mighty  problem's  solution  he  would  find. 

YIII. 

He  was  gazing  on  a  letter,  which  trembled  in  his  hand, 
And  troubled  seemed  his  features  as  the  message  fair  he  scanned; 
"  She  is  coming  then,  my  Minnie,  she  will  no  longer  wait, 
Her  soul  is  pure  as  Mercy's  tear,  her  love  is  fixed  as  Fate." 
He  murmured  low,  and  turned  again  to  read  the  message  fair, 
Written  with  a  modest  grace,  such  as  comes  from  talent  rare. 

Beads — 

Dearest  husband!  we've  been  parted  for  three  years  almost  now, 
And  oh !  the  weary  days  and  hours  have  passed  away  so  slow  ; 
They  would  have  been  but  misery  had  not  our  darling  child 
Brought  back  thy  image  to  my  heart,  whene'er  he  playful  smiled; 
Aye,  he  is  a  little  cherub,  your  own  proud,  noble  face 
Is  but  his  own  reflected  through  a  microscopic  glass ; 
I  have  lavished  all  my  love  on  him — have  taught  him  your  dear 

name, 

And  though  a  lisping  infant  still,  he  says  "Papa"  quite  plain. 
With  him,  our  little  treasure,  I  have  passed  the  weary  hours, 
While  ever  and  anon,  as  upon  the  dry  earth  showers 
Bring  forth  the  withering  verdure  and  make  the  frail  flowers 

bloom, 

So,  on  the  desert  of  my  heart  your  welcome  letters  come, 
Assuring  me  in  every  line  your  heart  still  beats  for  me, 
Though  virtue  holds  so  frail  a  seat  there  far  beyond  the  sea ; 


10  MINNIE   MONTGOMERY. 

And  now,  my  friends  consenting,  on  the  next  ship  I  will  sail, 
In  your  California  home  to  share  your  sorrows  and  your  weal. 

IX. 

As  the  proud  man  closed  the  letter,  he  rose  and  paced  the  room ; 
The  dull  light  of  the  lamp  reflected  back  a  gorgeous  gloom ; 
One  hand  still  clutched  the  letter,  one  his  marble  forehead  pressed, 
While  the  gleam  within  his  dark  eye,  proclaimed  his  soul's  unrest, 
And  he  pensive  walked  his  chamber  with  faltering  step  and  slow, 
As  if  upon  his  manly  heart  there  hung  a  weight  of  woe. 
At  last  he  murmured  to  himself:  "And  is  she  coming  then? 
Yes !  none  but  her  fair  hand  can  write  with  such  a  graceful  pen, 
None  but  a  heart  of  purity  like  that  within  her  breast 
Can  frame  such  words  of  goodness  as  are  in  those  lines  expressed. 
And  can  I  who  have  so  wronged  her,  look  in  her  face  again, 
Without  revealing  all  my  guilt  in  characters  so  plain, 
That  she,  though  unsuspecting,  still  can  read  my  inmost  soul, 
And  know  of  all  the  secret  deeds  that  out  my  memory  roll, 
And  mark  the  deep  and  burning  shame  that  sears  my  guilty  brow. 
I  seem  to  hear  her  angel  lips  reproach  me  even  now, 
For  I  have  been  for  many  months  a  hypocrite  so  vile, 
Forgetting  all  the  mighty  ties  that  bound  my  soul  the  while ; 
Have  abused  the  generous  confidence  she  bestowed  on  me, 
And  to  another  idol  I  have  bowed  a  shameful  knee ; 
Have  worshiped  at  a  wanton's  feet,  and  given  the  love  away 
That  should  have  been  my  matchless  wife's  to  a  base  piece  of  clay; 
To  one  as  far  'neath  Minnie  in  purity  of  heart, 
Or  all  that's  grand  of  intellect — that  higher,  nobler  part ; 
As  is  some  secret  cavern's  depths,  where  wild  beasts  congregate, 
Where  serpents  crawl  at  noonday,  where  the  grim  wolf  calls  his 
mate, 


MINNIE  MONTGOMERY.  II 

Beneath  the  eagle's  eyre  on  the  ever  verdant  pine, 
Blooming  where  everlasting  snows  the  mountain's  brows  entwine. 
And  as  she  says,  I've  written  letters  full  of  words  of  love, 
Such  as  we  used  to  whisper  when  the  twilight  from  above 
Closed  around  our  cottage  duskily,  beneath  the  old  elm  tree, 
While  Susquehanna  at  our  feet,  rolled  murmuring  to  the  sea, 
Where  we  lived  so  long  and  happy,  where  our  fair  child  was  born, 
Where  my  girl-bride  changed  to  woman,  without  one  sweet  charm 

torn, 
Where  life's  stream  rolled  so  smoothly,  till  this  thirst  for  riches 

came, 
And  burned  through  all  my  being,  as  through  parchment  blazes 

flame ; 

Then  I  left  my  blessed  treasure — my  precious  wife  and  child — 
To  seek  for  sordid  dross,  'midst  hills  and  canons  wild. 
Well,  there's  but  one  path  now  to  tread — I'll  call   on  Lady  Gray, 
Declare  our  secret  love,  and  sin  is  ended  from  to-day. 
Then  prepare  a  mansion  worthy  to  greet  my  bonny  bride, 
And  with  my  constant  love  from  hence  my  former  faults  will  hide." 
Saying  this  he  left  the  room,  but  with  hesitating  look, 
As  though  contending  feelings  all  his  strength  of  purpose  shook. 

x. 

Clay  Montgomery,  in  his  childhood,  had  felt  the  icy  hand 
Of  poverty  upon  him,  like  a  mighty  moveless  band. 
Born  destitute  of  heritage,  except  a  glorious  mind, 
Which  trials  and  privations  early  widened  and  refined, 
While  yet  almost  in  boyhood,  he  had  learned  the  healing  art, 
And  was  allowed,  with  honors  rare,  and  titles,  to  depart 
From  college,  where  his  energy  alone  had  given  him  place, 


12  MINNIE  MONTGOMERY. 

And  which  his  master  intellect  had  crowned  with  so  much  grace. 
He  sought  to  prove  his  calling  then,  and  paused  where,  towards 

the  sea, 

'Midst  banks  of  softest  verdure,  rushes  downward,  cool  and  free, 
Old  Susquehanna,  in  his  strength,  and  deep  perpetual  flow, 
Murmuring  like  the  summer  breeze  when  at  evening  it  doth  blow. 
There  he  met  with  Minnie  Morgan,  and  struck  with  her  sweet  face, 
To  her  ways  of  modest  gentleness,  her  form  of  matchless  grace, 
And  her  wondrous  abilities,  his  heart  a  captive  beat ; 
And  he  kneeled  with  his  affections,  a  suppliant  at  her  feet. 
She  took  his  hand  and  kneeled  by  him,  and  the  sweet  lingering 

kiss, 

Sealed  lips  and  hearts  and  souls,  in  chains  of  extaey  and  bliss. 
They  were  wedded,  and  for  three  years  they  lived  in  perfect  joy, 
Their  love  was  pure  as  angels',  untainted  by  alloy ; 
They  lived  as  God's  best  creatures  live — as  should  dwell  wedded 

love — 

A  little  archetype  of  life,  like  that  that's  passed  above, 
Where  holy  love  and  happiness  go  wandering  hand  in  hand ; 
The  leaders  and  the  brighter  pair  of  all  that  august  band 
That  throng  the  bowers  of  Paradise,  or  guard  the  sacred  wall 
Which  bounds  the  "New  Jerusalem" — that  vast  reception  hall, 
Which  the  Ete'rnal  prepared  for  the  nations  that  were  just, 
Where  the  wearied  spirit  hastens  when  released  from  crumbling 

dust 

XI. 

But  when  from  California  first  the  golden  voice  did  speak, 
So  luring  to  the  young,  but  brave,  their  fortunes  there  to  seek, 
Montgomery  heard  the  witching  notes  and  when  at  night  he  slept, 
Visions  of  strange  magnificence  across  his  slumbers  swept. 


MINNIE   MONTQOMEKT,  IS 

He  dreamed  of  rivers  rolling  over  jewels  to  the  main  ; 
He  dreamed  of  diamonds  glittering  in  mountain  and  in  plain ; 
E'en  the  sands  beneath  his  footsteps  were  radiant  with  gems, 
And  gold  shone  where  ne'er  wandered  the  bright  sun's  noonday 

beams. 
He  stretched  his  eager  hand  toward  it,  with  shining  dust   'twas 

filled, 

And  then  he  wakened  from  his  dream  with  all  his  pulses  thrilled ; 
Once  more  he  slept,  but  visions  on  their  airy  chargers  sped ; 
He  saw  their  shining  garments,  as  through  dreamland  on  they  fled; 
He  sought  his  early  home  again,  he  built  a  mansion  high, 
From  off  its  royal  battlements  he  watched  the  starry  sky, 
And  heard  anon  soft  music  in  sweetest  numbers  fall, 
Echoing  'neath  the  sculptured  arch,  and  down  the  marble  hall; 
He  gathered  grand  old  paintings  there  from  Europe's  classic  shores, 
Her  cities  of  luxuriance,  her  palaces  and  towers, 
Those  shrines  of  inspiration,  so  sublime  and  so  august ; 
Saved,  'midst  the  wreck  of  ages,  from  Time's  corroding  rust ; 
Rare  flowers  were  blooming  'round  him,  and  clear,  cool  fountains 

played, 

His  herds  were  basking  in  the  sun,  his  vision  fair  portrayed 
A  kingly  wealth  and  splendor,  and  'twas  he  possessed  it  all, 
The  fair  domain,  the  flocks  and  herds,  the  garden  and  the  hall. 
Tken,  waking  from  such  dreams,  he  would  survey  his  humble  home, 
'Till  the  bright  smile  left  his  eye,  and  his  brow  grew  dark  in  gloom. 
At  length  he  told  his  gentle  wife  the  longing  of  his  heart, 
And  begged  brief  leave  of  absence,  from  her  presence  to  depart. 
At  first  she  wept  for  long  hours,  but  as  she  had  ever  done, 
At  length  she  yielded  to  his  wish — that  was  her  law  alone. 
Then  on  a  sunny  April  morn,  he  kissed  a  soft  adieu 


14  MINNIE   MONTGOMERY. 

On  their  infant,  in  its  cradle,  and  then  he  wildly  drew 
His  Minnie  to  his  bosom,  in  a  sad  but  fond  embrace  ; 
Gazed  tenderly  a  moment  on  her  anguished,  tearful  face, 
Pressed  a  last  kiss  on  her  pale  lips,  while  his  faltering  tongue, 
As  he  murmured  "  Good  bye,  Minnie,"  told  how  his  heart  was 
wrung. 

XII. 

Of  his  journey  we  shall  speak  anon — at  present  let  us  trace 
Him  from  his  princely  chamber  to  a  quiet  secret  place. 
In  fancy  we  will  enter  and  behold  yon  lady  fair, 
Who  approaches  to  greet  him  with  such  a  queenly  air. 
Her  slender  hand  she  holds  toward  him;  how  flash  her  raven  eyes, 
How  sweet  the  smile  of  welcome  that  along  each  feature  flies ; 
Her  polished  brow,  how  straight  and  fair  her  perfect  form  so  tall, 
Those  waves  of  jetty  tresses,  how  they  o'er  her  bared  neck  fall; 
In  garments  rich,  voluptuous,  with  gems  all  sparkling  o'er, 
She  stands  with  hand  extended,  with  one  small  foot  placed  before, 
As  beautiful  as  young  Love's  dream,  enrapturing  as  Love, 
When  fervent  passion  thrills  the  brain,  and  youth  the  pulse  doth 
move. 

XIII. 

But  if  we  approach  more  nearly  we  shall  discover  there, 

That  though  that  form  is  sylph-like,  and  those  features  passing  fair, 

There  is  yet  a  something  wanting — that  modest  gentleness, 

Without  which  woman  is  a  thing  too  hideous  to  express, 

And  though  those  eyes  beam  darkly  bright,  they  lack  the  glorious 

ray 
Which  beams  when  stainless  virtue,  over  passion  holds  its  sway. 

XIV. 

Such  were  the  superficial  charms  of  haughty  Frances  Gray, 


MINNIE   MONTGOMERY.  15 

Who,  shame  to  tell,  had  turned  aside  the  noble  heart  of  Clay; 
The  one  whom  he  had  come  to  see,  his  guilty  bands  to  sever; 
To  break  the  toils  that  bound  him — to  separate  for  ever ; 
For  his  heart  within  his  bosom  was  beating  right  once  more, 
His  Minnie  in  her  beauty  to  his  fancy  rose  before, 
He  thought  of  all  her  loveliness,  the  gifted  gentle  one 
Who  woke  his  first  affections,  who  he  knew  was  still  his  own ; 
Though  he  had  wandered  far  away  he  knew  her  heart  was  true, 
For  like  a  mount,  whose  high  pure  brow  the  heav'ns  conceal  from 

view, 

Is  woman's  faith,  when  she  doth  love  with  all  her  glorious  soul, 
Howe'er  unworthy  be  the  theme  on  which  that  love  doth  fall ; 
*Tis  like  the  beauteous  evergreen,  which  blooms  as  bright  when 

snow 

Is  drifting  round  its  strong  roots,  as  when  o'er  it  flowers  grow ; 
But  man,  midst  the  temptations  and  the  conflicts  of  the  world, 
From  virtue's  and  from  duty's  height  a  felon  oft  is  hurled. 
Start  not,  ye  fond  and  trusting,  while  I  whisper  in  your  ears, 
A  tale  to  make  your  warm  hearts  beat,  your  eyes  to  swim  in  tears, 
Of  all  the  men  who  came  away  and  left  their  wives  behind, 
A  fortune  on  the  golden  shores  of  this  fair  land  to  find, 
Not  half  returned  again  to  theirs,  untainted,  sinless,  pure, 
For  sin  here  tunes  her  sweetest  lyre,  unwary  souls  to  lure. 

xv. 

Frances  broke  the  silence — "I  am  glad  that  you  have  come 
Once  more  my  dear  Montgomery,  to  my  lone  quiet  home ; 
I  wearied  much  in  waiting  for  you  since  you  went  away; 
Come  nearer,  let  me  gaze  on  you,  dear,  noble,  handsome  Clay." 
But  he  stop'd  her  forward  movement,  and  firmly,  slowly  said : 
"  Frances,  it  is  a  fearful  gulph  o'er  which  our  footsteps  tread, 


16  MINNIE   MONTGOMERY. 

Dear  friend,  we  must  forget  the  past,  ere  by  the  world  we're  seen, 
We  must  trace  back  the  path  we've  trod,  ere  virtue  be  our  friend; 
Nay,  speak  not  yet,  fair  erring  child,  but  ask  your  heart  if  you 
Are  happy  now  as  when  that  heart  no  guile  nor  wandering  knew; 
Dost  thou  in  dreams  at  midnight  now  feel  peaceful  and  secure, 
As  when  but  for  your  husband's  love  your  heart  heaved  fond  and 

pure  ? 
Frances !  think  of  your  nuptial  vow,  of  the  hour  when  you  must 

die, 

When  alas !  earth's  days  of  pleasure  shall  darken  in  your  eye, 
Then  promise  if  a  loving  look  I  e'er  bestow  on  thee 
Thou'lt  spurn  me  from  thee  like  a  reptile  hideous  to  see." 

XVI. 

" Why  Montgomery,"  said  the  frail  one,    "what  is  the  matter 

now? 

What  clouds  with  such  a  gloominess  your  ever  sunny  brow, 
And  makes  your  looks  as  solemn  as  were  on  yester  eve 
The  priest's,  who  for  our  errors  so  sorrowfully  did  grieve  ? 
He  talked  of  holy  mountains,  of  Jordan's  sluggish  wave, 
Which  rolls  its  waters  to  that  sea  which  is  the  dreadful  grave, 
Of  those  cities  of  unrighteousness  which  scoffed  and  mocked  at 

God, 

Till  He  smote  them  in  His  vengeance  with  his  all  consuming  rod ; 
And  he  talked  besides  of  Solomon,  the  fair  and  noble  child, 
Who  grew  up  to  a  manhood  so  licentious  and  so  wild ; 
Then  when  his  years  were  waning,  and  life  unloosed  its  hold, 
He  clung  again  to  virtue,  as  his  passions  all  grew  cold ; 
Just  so  my  dear  Montgomery,  grow  virtuous  by  and  by, 
When  age  shall  wrinkle  your  proud  face  and  dim  your  eagle  eye; 


MINNIE    MONTGOMERY.  17 

Oh!  if  you  look  thus  solemn  but  to  give  me  greater  joy, 
When  again  you  smile  upon  me,  pray  do  no  longer  toy ; 
Montgomery !  dear  Montgomery !  to  speak  thy  name  is  bliss, 
Come  to  my  arms  and  give  me,  for  my  own,  thy  wonted  kiss. 

XVII. 

But  he  started  quickly  backward,  and  answered  sad  and  stern, 
(While  his  lightning  eye  upon  her  did  fixed  and  sorrowing  turn,) 
"  Stop!  ne'er  again  those  ruby  lips  with  mine  in  love  shall  meet; 
Altough  they  are  as  tempting,  as  enrapturingly  sweet, 
As  was  the  rich  forbidden  fruit  that  in  Eden  blushing  grew, 
Which  our  first  parents  pluck'd  and  ate,  and  thus  a  world  o'er- 

threw. 

I  came  to  say  "  good  bye,"  to-night,  my  heart  feels  not  like  mirth, 
For  we  must  meet  together  as  only  friends  henceforth. 
But  Frank,  he  added  mildly,.  I  wished  not  to  offend; 
Here  is  a  letter,  read  it,  and  then  my  fairest  friend, 
You  will  perceive  a  reason  why  we  so  soon  must  part, 
And  rend  all  these  affections  sweet  that  bind  us  heart  with  heart." 

XVIII. 

Frances  seized  the  letter  quickly,  and  as  she  read,  a  tear 
Seemed  bursting  from  her  fierce  eye  as  she  scanned  the  message 

near  ; 

But  she  checked  it  in  a  moment,  and  calmly  said,  "so  Clay, 
This  wife  is  coming,  is  she  ?  even  now,  is  on  the  way. 
I  fancy,  'tis  all  for  the  best ;  the  war  in  Oregon, 
Where  my  husband  is  commanding,  will  doubtless  soon  be  done, 
And  then  he  will  return  for  sure  he  loves  me,  and  his  life 
He  would  without  a  murmur  lose,  to  save  his  wicked  wife  ; 

But  he  has  a  spirit  jealous,  and  a  weapon  keen  and  strong, 
2 


lg  MINNIE   MONTGOMERY. 

And  his  fierce  arm  loves  to  wield  it  to  wipe  away  a  wrong ; 
And  should  he  find  you  filling,  Clay,  his  place  here  in  my  arms, 
I  would  tremble  for  the  issue,  as  I  love  your  many  charms. 
'Tis  well  that  we  should  separate  ere  some  too  greedy  ear, 
Should  in  some  fatal  moment  a  trifling  word  o'erhear, 
And  all  the  dreadful  story  of  our  love  and  sin  proclaim. 
How  would  our  envious  friends  rejoice  to  herald  forth  our  shame, 
While  their  thoughts  are  just  as   evil,  their  heart-throbs  just  as 

vile, 

Should  some  sweet  opportunity  their  eager  souls  beguile. 
Farewell !  and  if  we  meet  again,  may  all  within  each  breast 
Be  pure  as  seems  yon  harvest  moon  in  robes  of  azure  dressed." 

XIX. 

She  spoke  with  a  strange  carelessness,  in  mingled  scorn  and  ire, 
But  when  Montgomery,  toward  the  door  did  silently  retire, 
The  memory  of  her  love  came  back  and  with  woman's  tenderness, 
His  neck  her  snowy  arms  entwined  in  a  sweet  and  wild  caress, 
And  she  murmured,  "Dear  Montgomery,  give  me  one  kiss  I  pray, 
One  pledge  of  all  our  friendship  past,  then  you  may  go  away." 
Slowly  he  unloosed  himself  from  her  passionate  embrace, 
And  turned  his  fixed  look  steadily  upon  her  pallid  face  ; 
Strange  sight  it  was,  their  dark  eyes  beaming  on  each  other  there, 
Their  forms  drawn  to  their   proudest  height,  majestic,  graceful, 

fair; 

Her  bosom  heaved,  like  ocean,  when  a  tempest  o'er  it  sweeps, 
He  quivered  like  a  mountain,  when  an  earthquake,  'neath  it  creeps; 
'Twas  a  picture  for  a  sculptor  or  painter  to  behold, 
Those  creatures  in  their  splendor— could  they  be  of  human  mould  ? 
Oh !  had  their  hearts  been  pure,  as  were  their  forms  and  features 

fair, 


MINNIE  MONTGOMERY.  19 

They  would  have  been  all  ready  to  mount  the  heights  of  air, 
To  join  those  shining  legions  that  people  Heaven's  towers, 
Where  virtue  needs  no  sentinels  to  guard  her  sacred  bowers. 

xx. 

'  Thus  they  on  each  other  gazed,  till  in  Frances'  eye  a  tear 
Shone,  as  in  some  stormy  midnight  shines  on  the  sky,  a  star, 
Which  Montgomery  perceiving,  his  arm  he  round  her  flung, 
And  their  warm  lips  to  each  other  in  a  kiss  of  rapture  clung ; 
He  whispered,  "Farewell  now, — as  cools  that  kiss  upon  thy  lip, 
Remember  that  this  guilty  cup  we  must  no  longer  sip." 
Saying  this  he  left  her  parlor  fair,  while  like  a  statue  still 
She  listened,  while  his  footsteps  on  the  side-walk  fainter  fell, 
And  when  the  last  sound  died  away,  she  ?unk  upon  the  floor 
And  wept  as  though  the  fountains  of  her  heart  were  running  o'er. 
At  length,  her  feelings  mastering,  she  rose  from  where  she  lay, 
And  with  her  glossy  ringlets,  wiped  the  burning  tears  away ; 
And  then  she  murmured  sadly,  "Fool !  oh  fool  that  I  have  been! 
I  might  have  known  this  hour  would  come,  this  hour  of  shame 

and  sin ; 

I  might  have  known  long  months  ere  this  that  he  would  go  away 
And  leave  me  in  my  helplessness,  to  my  remorse  a  prey ; 
Yes,   leave  me  full  of  sorrow,   wrapped  in  shame   and  wounded 

pride, 

And  fear,  the  soul  doth  ever  feel  when  virtue  leaves  its  side  ; 
Still,  who  could  resist  temptation,  when  clothed  in  such  attire  ? 
That  voice  of  inspirations  deep,  that  glance  of  living  fire, 
Those  eyes  of  melting  tenderness  when  they  beamed  down  in  love, 
And  that  brow,  the  throne  of  genius,  all  common  minds  above, 
Expression's  chosen  dwelling  place,  and  beauty's  fairest  seat, 


20  MINNIE   MONTGOMERY. 

And  not  the  least,  those  honeyed  words,  so  fascinating  sweet ; 
They  stole  all  my  affections,  as  the  south  winds  steal  the  snow, 
When  in  spring  they  breathe  all  genial  upon  the  mountain's  brow, 
Softening  their  cold,  pure  banks,  until  they  melt  and  downward 

glide, 

Mixing  with  earth's  pollutions  foul  upon  the  mountain  side, 
Till  at  length  along  the  vale  a  dark  mass  it  on  doth  roam, 
Nor  knows  of  peace  or  quiet  'till  it  finds  its  ocean  home  ; 
Thus  did  his  words  and  soft  caresses  steal  away  my  heart, 
Till  it  throbs  within  my  bosom  as  though  its  strings  would  part, 
And  it  must  ever  throb  and  beat,  till  it  findeth  in  the  grave 
That  rest  it  now  so  wildly  and  so  helplessly  doth  crave ; 
'Tis  true,  I  have  a  husband,  and  the  world's  mouth  calls  him  great; 
He's  an  honor  to  his  country,  a  bulwark  to  the  State, 
And  many  a  friend  rejoiced  with  me  upon  my  bridal  day, 
Saying  how  fortunate  I  was  to  wed  proud  Allen  Gray. 
Ah,  me  !  who  knows  the  secret  heart  ?   He  met  me  a  weak  maid, 
I  saw  him  in  his  uniforn,  in  gold  and  gems  arrayed, 
He  wooed  me,  and  bewildered,  I  thought  I  loved  him  well, 
My  eyes  were  dazzled  by  the  beams  that  from  his  titles  fell ; 
But  when,  alas  !  the  first  few  days  of  wedded  joy  were  past, 
There  grew  a  void  within  my*  heart,  so  sad,  and  cold,  and  vast, 
That  all  my  husband's  love  could  never  cheer,  or  warm,  or  fill, 
Though  his  form   doth  captivate  the  eye,  his  voice  the  ear  doth 

thrill ; 

'Twas  then,  that  he  was  called  away  in  the  wilderness  to  war, 
Then  glory's  magic  trumpet  led  him  from  my  side  afar ; 
He  left  me  in  the  city,  where  temptations  most  abound, 
Where  the  songs  of  evil  syrens  ever  sweetly  sound; 
He  left  me,  and  the  weary  hours  rolled  by  so  sad  and  drear; 


MINNIE   MONTGOMERY.  21 

'Twas  then  Montgomery's  honeyed  words  first  fell  upon  my  ear ; 

'Twas  then  I  felt  his  glance  of  fire  first  beaming  down  on  me 

Till  my  heart  beat  in  my  bosom  as  tempests  beat  the  sea, 

Till  all  my  vows  of  faithfulness  to  the  vain  winds  were  tossed, 

And  enraptured  and  magnetized,  I  yielded  and  was  lost. 

Oh!  what  a  love  I  then  gave  him,  sinful  though  it  maybe, 

It  was  a  love  as  vast  as  space  in  its  immensity, 

As  fervent  as  eternal  fires  in  its  intensity, 

As  high  as  Heaven's  star  spangled  arch,  as  deep  as  ocean's  bed, 

Sweeter  than  e'er  was  young  hope's  dream,  through  beauty's  fair 

field  led. 

What  could  I  not  have  suffered  to  Itave  wandered  by  his  side  ? 
How  willingly  for  his  dear  sake  could  I  have  bowed  and  died; 
How  patiently  could  I  have  watched  by  him  in  grief  and  joy, 
For  he  was  perfect,  and  the  world  beside  was  all  alloy ; 
And  now  he  comes  to  me  to-night  and  says  that  we  must  part, 
As  cool,  as  though  the  chords  which  bind  a  loving  woman's  heart 
Were  made  of  common  hemp,  and  could  at  will  be  rent  or  tied; 
But  thanks,  indeed,  a  thousand  thanks,  to  my  unconquered  pride, 
He  did  not  triumph  o'er  me,  though  his  words  stung  through  my 

soul, 

And  did  o'er  all  my  being  in  seas  of  sorrow  roll ; 
He  thinks  that  I  am  satisfied — aye,  he  shall  surely  know 
That  man  must  reap  the  whirlwind  dire,  when  he  the  wind  doth 

sow, 

That  in  a  woman's  bosom,  next  unto  her  boundless  love, 
Revenge,  black,  fierce  and  dreadful,  stands  her  passions  all  above." 

XXI. 

As  she  spoke  her  eyes  dilated,  her  hands  and  lips  did  close, 
As  if  her  mind  in  labour  wrung  was  anguished  by  its  throes ; 


22  MINNIE    MONTGOMERY. 

For  in  her  heart  a  purpose  was  that  hour  conceived  and  born. 
As  she  conjured  up  the  dark  thoughts,  her  thin  lips   curled  in 

scorn, 

Her  perfect  form  expanded  to  its  fullest,  proudest  height, 
The  veins  upon  her  snowy  neck  shone  azure  in  the  light, 
Her  clench'd  hand  trembled  o'er  her  head,  her  bosom  heaved  and 

fell, 

And  her  cheeks  convulsed  by  passion,  grew  alternate  red  and  pale, 
And  she  walked  from  the  apartment  with  firm  and  haughty  stride, 
As  though  she  led  the  way,  o'er  a  banquet  to  preside. 
With  every  sweet  charm  heightened  into  grand  and  full  display, 
She  seemed  not  like  a  wanton,  fleeing  from  her  sins  away, 
But  with  a  grace  and  dignity,  that  might  a  queen  adorn, 
As  she  walked  before  her  subjects  on  Coronation  morn. 


CANTO  II. 
i. 

Twas  morn  in  San  Francisco — Montgomery  was  alone 
In  a  mansion  he  prepared,,  when  he  knew  his  wife  would  come  ; 
Twas  palace-like  in  richness,  and  his  dark  eyes  gleamed  in  pride, 
As  he  gazed  upon  the  splendors  that  glowed  on  every  side. 
"It  is  superb  !  'tis  beautiful!"  he  said — "what  a  surprise 
I  have  for  my  sweet  Minnie  ;  I  will  dazzle  her  bright  eyes ; 
For  she  knows  not  of  my  wealth,  and  she  thinks  to  find  me  now, 
In  coarse  and  dusky  garments  clad,  with  burning,  aching  brow ; 
For  years  I  had  no  treasure  but  her  loving  heart ;  her  smile 
And  winning  words  were  joys  to  feast  my  weary  soul  the  while ; 
Oh !  will  I  not  be  happy  here,  upon  this  western  shore  ? 
But  stop — there's  Frances'  image  standing  fancy's  eye  before  ; 
Tis  true  that  I  have  wronged  her ;  much  I  feared  that  parting 

scene ; 

But  'twas  time  we  should  our  hearts  from  unholy  pleasures  wean ; 
And  yet,  methinks  one  smothered  look  of  passion  I  did  trace, 
As  it  swept  in  wrath,  and  grief,,  and  gloom,  across  her  scornful 

face. 

She  cares  not ;  her  haughty  eye  looks  just  as  boldly  up, 
As  if  her  lips  had  ever  drank  from  Virtue's  stainless  cup." 


'24 


MINNIE  MONTGOMERY. 


II. 

"  And  now,  nay  throbbing  heart,  be  calm,  and  let  your  every  beat 
Be  for  the  radiant  being  that  first  with  scepter  sweet, 
Subdued  you  with  her  gentleness,  and  won  your  early  love, 
And  who,  compared  with  other  wives,  is  peerless,  all  above. 
Oh !  what  fond  days,  and  weeks,  and  months,  we'll  pass  together 

here; 

My  wealth  shall  heighten  every  smile,  shall  drive  away  each  fear ; 
The  mountains  and  the  rivers,  and  the  islands  of  the  deep, 
Shall  their  hidden  gems  bring  forth,  from  the  dark  caves  where 

they  sleep ; 

The  sunny  tropic's  cooling  fruits  shall  kiss  her  heated  lip, 
And  o'er  the  dreadful  ocean  shall  career  the  stately  ship, 
To  bring  to  her  the  luxuries  that  bloom  in  other  lands, 

Where  flowery  summer  binds  the  earth  with  everlasting  bands. 

My  wife,  my  precious  wife  and  child,  henceforth  the  world  to  me, 

I  long  to  rest  one  on  my  breast,  and  one  upon  my  knee. 

Blow  ye  propitious  breezes,  ye  strong  enginery,  speed  on 

The  lordly  palace  of  the  seas,  that  bears  my  jewels  home. 

But  wherefore  is  that  rumbling?  Hark!  it  comes  up  from  the  Bay. 

By  heavens !  It  is  the  steamer,  pounding  thro'  the  foam  and  spray. 

'  Tis  drawing  nearer ;  see !  for  joy !  it  is  the  Golden  Gate, 

That  ship  that  ever  brings  to  port  all  safe  its  precious  freignt  ; 

That  ship  that  climbs  the  billows,  as  the  eagle  climbs  the  air, 

When  with  bold  eye  on  the  mountain,  he  soars  away  afar ; 

That  ship  that  rides  the  ocean  vast,  as  o'er  some  stormy  cloud, 

The  midnight  thunder  rushes  with  its  trumpet  voice  aloud. 

But  wait ;  if  I  thus  haste  to  her,  her  little  strength  will  fail ; 

She  would  faint  with  the  excitement,  her  poor  nerves  are  so  frail ; 

I  have  a  thought  now — I  am  not  the  Clay  Montgomery 


MINNIE  MONTGOMERY.  25 

I  was,  while  toiling  o'er  the  hills  and  vales,  beyond  the  sea. 
Oh !  thanks  to  California's  hand,  to  give  to  a  poor  slave, 
A  fortune  kings  might  justly  *prize,  and  princes  vainly  crave. 
She  will  not  know  the  bearded  face,  o.r  this  apparel  fair, 
She  hardly  thinks  to  find  her  Clay  almost  a  millionaire." 

in. 

Saying  this,  beneath  a  broad  hat  he  hid  his  polished  brow, 
His  cloak  in  many  ample  folds  did  from  his  shoulders  flow, 
As  he  left  the  splendid  mansion,  and  wended  swift  his  way, 
Where  the  steamer  by  the  wharf,  like  a  sleeping  monster  lay. 

IV. 

The  stern  commander  welcomed  him,  saying — "Montgomery, 

There  is  a  very  angel  in  the  ship,  awaiting  thee  ; 

Come  with  me  to  the  cabin."     But  Clay  whispered  in  his  ear 

The  plan  he  had  for  meeting,  unknown,  his  Minnie  fair. 

"'Tis  a  good  thought,"  said  the  master,  "she  was  ill  upon  the  sea, 

And  perhaps  her  nerves  might  fail,  should  she  know  you  suddenly." 

Saying  this,  they  went  together  to  the  beautiful  saloon  ; 

The  captain  called  a  page,  and  said,  "  I  leave  my  vessel  soon, 

Go  you  to  yonder  state-room  door,  salute  the  lady  there, 

And  tell  her  a  friend  sincere  would  like  to  say  'Good-bye'  to  her." 

The  servant  did  as  ordered,  and  ere  long  returned  again, 

Followed  closely  by  a  lady  in  sable  robes  and  plain. 

As  Montgomery  spied  her  pale  face,  his  heart  seemed  stopping 

still, 

And  he  trembled  in  his  footsteps,  despite  his  mighty  will. 
The  Captain  spoke  : 

"  Dear  lady,  you  must  know  we  mariners 
Are  a  rude,  boisterous  race  of  men,  at  best  but  honest  tars  ; 


MINNIE  MONTGOMERY. 


I  wished  to  say  farewell,  and  may  your  future  moments  glide, 
As  peaceful  as  my  goodly  ship  rides  o'er  a  placid  tide. 
May  sorrow's  bitter  billows  ne'er  round  your  life-bark  pour, 
May  your  cup  of  joy  be  ever  full,  upon  this  western  shore." 


'Oh!  thanks, a  thousand  heartfelt  thanks,  brave  Captain,'  she  replied, 

"  Your  kindness  to  me  on  this  voyage  my  heart  has  justly  weighed, 

And  if  its  boundless  gratitude  can  in  the  least  repay 

The  debt  I  owe  to  you,  'tis  thine ;  meanwhile  I  humbly  pray, 

That  if  we  ne'er  together  sail  on  the  rough  sea  below, 

Our  souls  may  find  a  haven  by  that  stream  whose  placid  flow 

Glideth  softly  from  the  white  Throne  down  thro'  the  golden  streets, 

Beneath  the  ever-blooming  trees,  beside  the  heavenly  seats 

Of  Angel  and  Archangel,  where  endless  they  accord, 

With  harp  and  voice,  the  honor  that  is  due  their  King  and  Lord. 

There  may  our  tired  lives  at  last  by  gentle  zephyrs  driven. 

Moor  safe  by  the  Pacific  wharf,  in  the  still  bay  of  heaven." 

VI. 

As  spoke  the  gentle  woman  thus,  the  strong  man  brushed  a  tear 
From  his  sun-browned  cheeks,  for  such  words  sounded  strangely 

in  his  ear. 
Perhaps  some  scene  of  childhood  rushed  that  moment  o'er  his 

brain, 

May  be  to  him  those  soft  words  seemed  a  mother's  voice  again. 
And  he  spoke  with  deepest  feeling — "  I  cannot  now  express 
How  much  I  thank  you  for  those  words  of  holy  tenderness ; 
I'll  recall  them  at  midnight,  when  alone  upon  the  wave, 
When  around  me  seas  are  breaking,  and  tempests  shriek  and  rave, 
When  my  strong  ship  'neath  me  trembles,  'midst  elemental  strife, 


MINNIE   MONTGOMERY.  27 

I'll  recall  your  rapturous  picture  of  the  clear  stream  of  life, 
And  I'll  trust  amidst  the  surgings  of  tempest  and  of  flood, 
Your  sweet  prayer  is  accepted  in  the  awful  book  of  God." 
Then  stilling  his  emotions  deep,  cheerful,  at  length  he  said, 
"  Lady,  this  morn  your  husband  a  little  sickness  had, 
So  asked  this  gentleman,  his  friend,  (bowing  the  while  to  Clay,) 
To  bear  you  to  his  dwelling ;  fare  you  well ;  I  must  away." 

VII. 

At  mention  of  her  husband's  name,  a  wild  thrill  tinged  her  cheek, 
She  clasped  her  hands  upon  her  heart,  her  lips  refused  to  speak  ; 
A  tear  shone  in  the  azure  eye,  her  tall  form  bent  and  shook, 
And  she  gave  the  man  before  her  a  supplicating  look ; 
At  length  she  said,    "  kind  stranger,  relieve  my  suffering  brain, 
What  know  you  of  my  husband  ?    Oh  !"      Clay  answered  frank 

and  plain. 

"  I  know  him  well,  scarce  an  hour  since  I  left  his  bright  fire-side, 
He  is  waiting  to  embrace  you,  whom  he  calls  his  joy  and  pride ; 
His  nerves  are  all  unstrung  this  morn,  he  wished  for  me  to  come 
To  meet  you  at  the  steamer,  to  conduct  you  to  his  home." 

VIII. 

He  spoke  with  a  frank,  candid  tone,  which  drove  way  her  fears, 
And  she  thanked  him  with  an  earnest  look,  smiling  through  her 

tears; 

To  prepare  her  for  the  journey,  she  hastened  quick  away, 
With  a  bounding,  elastic  heart,  and  footsteps  light  and  gay. 

IX. 

As  ehe  turned  away  he  muttered,  "what  means  her  pallid  face  ? 
Whence  are  those  looks  of  suffering,  the  eye  so  quick  doth  trace  ? 
What  mean  her  robes  of  sable  ?     Where  is  my  boy,  my  child  ? 
Alas !  with  sad  forebodings  now,  my  anxious  heart  throbs  wild. 


28  MINNIE   MONTGOMERY. 

X. 

The  Captain  paused  a  moment,  ere  he  went  upon  the  deck, 
And  gazing  back  upon  the  two,  as  to  himself,  did  speak, 
"I  had  not  the  heart  to  tell  him,  his  child  died  on  the  sea  ; 
Her  sable  robes  explain  it — yet  how  beautiful  is  she  ; 
God  protect  her  in  this  country,  and  may  her  beauty  here, 
Ne'er  bring  a  pang  to  sting  her  heart,  nor  to  her  eye  a  tear.' 


The  lady  soon  returned  and  took  Montgomery's  proffered  arm; 
He  trembled,  for  that  gentle  touch  had  all  its  former  charm; 
As  they  left  the  dusky  steamer,  she  gave  a  lingering  look 
Back  on  its  fine  proportions,  as  it  rested  by  the  dock ; 
Then  entering  a  carriage  rich,  they  whirled  along  the  street, 
And  paused  before  a  mansion,  proud  as  an  Earl's  retreat. 
They  traversed  up  the  winding  path,  and  through  the  open  door, 
And  entering  a  gorgeous  room,  Montgomery's  heart  ran  o'er  ; 
And  clasping  in  his  rapture  his  beloved  one  to  his  heart, 
"  Welcome,"  he  cried,  "  my  Minnie,  we  meet  no  more  to  part." 
Both  his  hat  and  mantle  falling,  revealed  his  form  and  brow, 
And  her  quick  eye,  in  happiness,  beheld  her  husband  now. 
Twas  a  cup  too  full  of  rapture,  and  with  a  joyful  shriek 
She  fainted,  while  his  full  heart  throbbed  'neath  her  ashen  cheek. 
With  looks  of  melting  tenderness,  he  gazed  on  her  pale  face  ; 
"  Ah,  me  !"  said  he,  "  to  feel  thee  thus,  once  more  in  my  embrace, 
Such  rapture  sweet,  such  happiness  what  mortal  ever  knew? 
Oh !  Minnie,  ope  those  eyes  of  love,  and  change  that  pallid  hue 
That  broodeth  o'er  thy  features,  to  that  crimson  rose-like  glow 
That  used  to  mantle  with  such  grace,  thy  queenly  pearl-like  brow. 


MINNIE    MONTGOMERY,  2if 

XII. 

At  length  the  blue  eyes  opened  slowy  and  wildly  stared,  on  Clay, 
With  looks  of  mingled  joy  and  grief,  of  pleasure,  yet  dismay  ; 
"  Oh!  husband,  is  it  true?"  she  cried,  "Are  you  then  what  you 

seem? 

Or  has  some  pitying  angel  sent  to  me  this  heavenly  dream  ? 
Are  you  then  flesh  and  blood,  or  am  I  in  the  spirit  land  ? 
Aye,  surely  I  am  not  deceived,  this  is  no  spirit's  hand, 
Tis  one  you  gave  me  long  ago,  far  back  beyond  the  sea, 
'Neath  the  branches  of  the  great  Elm,  that  old  majestic  tree ; 
Kememberest  thou,  dear  husband,  that  happy,  holy  hour 
Our  souls  were  blent  together  there  by  loves  enchanting  power  ; 
The  stars  looked  down  approvingly,  those  lamps  of  God  on  high, 
And  the  breezes  seemed  to  listen  as  their  murmuring  hosts  swept 

by; 

Around  us  slept  the  quiet  earth  upon  that  joyful  even, 
And  o'er  us  shone  the  gorgeous   worlds  that  throng  the  fields  of 

Heaven." 

XIII. 

As  she  spoke  they  clasped  each  other,  and  a  sweet  lingering  kiss, 
Sealed  the  last  word  on  her  glowing  lips  in  transport  and  in  bliss, 
And  their  hearts  'gainst  each  other  throbbed,  in  love's  delightful 

beat, 

Twas  a  moment  of  enjoyment,  intense,  and  rare,  and  sweet. 
She  spoke  again, 

"But  what  means  all  this  glitter — this  display; 
This  splendid  furniture  I  see,  and  thine  apparel,  Clay  ?" 
He  answered, 

<!  Tell  me,  Minnie,  first — what  means  thy  pallid  face, 
Thy  sombre  garments,  and  the  pangs  of  suffering  I  trace 


30  MINNIE    MONTGOMERY. 

Upon  thy  queenly  brow,  within  thy  sunken  cheek  and  eye  ? 
Where  is  our  fair  child?  Minnie,  dear — I  have  not  heard  you  say." 
A  tear  stole  from  her  sad  eye,  and  she  said : 

"  Alas  !  his  doom ! 

He  died  at  sea ;  a  cavern  of  the  ocean  is  his  tomb." 
A  shudder  cold,  the   strong  man  shook,  his  sunbrowned  cheek 

grew  pale, 
And  sinking  to  a  seat,  he  said: 

"What  is  the  horrid  tale? 

Come,  sit  down  here  beside  me ;  come,  my  poor  afflicted  one, 
Alas!   that  I  had  died  for  him,  my  precious,  only  son." 
And  hot  tears,  despite  his  firmness,  were  blinding  either  eye, 
As  he  gently  drew  her  to  his  side  on  the  soft  settee. 

XIV. 

At  first  she  could  not  answer ;  the  memory  of  her  woe, 

In  a  sea  of  crushing  sorrow  did  o'er  her  break  and  flow  ; 

At  length  her  tears  subsided,  but  upon  her  pale  cheeks  lay, 

Like  rain  drops  upon  flowers  when  a  shower  has  passed  away  ; 

And  ever  and  anon,  a  sob  convulsed  her  troubled  breast, 

E'en  as  the  thunder  doth  a  cloud  when  a  storm  wanes  in  the  west. 

She  spoke  in  trembling  accents — 

"  It  was  a  summer  day, 

When  from  the  harbor  of  New  York,  our  steamer  sailed  away ; 
The  winds  were  hushed  in  slumber,  and  the  ocean's  emerald  face 
Around  us  calm  and  still  reposed,  it  seemed  like  molten  glass ; 
On  the  deck  there  strangely  mingled  all  nations  seemingly; 
Some  talked,  some  read,  some  sang,  some  the  moments  dreamed 

away. 
I  sought  a  quiet  place  apart,  our  child  was  on  my  knee, 


MINNIE   MONTGOMERY.  SI 

And  when  the  land  sunk  'neath  the  waves  he  clapped  his  hands 

in  glee, 

Nor  seemed  of  the  grim  waste  of  waves  to  harbor  up  a  fear, 
Although  so  vast  its  waters  rolled,  so  terrible,  so  drear; 
The  second  day  a  gentle  breeze  from  northward  softly  blew, 
The  sails  aloft  were  all  unfurled — the  ship  in  splendor  flew, 
Adown  the  sable  ocean  by  double  pressure  driven, 
Like  an  earthquake  through  the  earth,  like   a  thunder  bolt  thro' 

Heaven. 

A  chill,  dense  mist  the  ocean's  face,  the  third  day   did  enshroud, 
And  our  ship,  like  a  grim  demon,  a  foaming  furrow  plowed  ; 
Reckless  and  exultingly  as  though  its  path  it  knew, 
While  her  warning  bell  kept  tolling,  the  lone,  shrill  whistle  blew, 
And  in  our  hearts  a  strange  unrest  was  ever  brooding  near, 
A  feeling  of  strange  anxiousness,  almost  akin  to  fear. 
The  fourth  day  brought  a  raging  storm,  and  terribly  the  deep, 
By  wild  winds  lashed  to  anger,  did  its  billows  round  us  heap, 
And  beat  against  the  vessel's  beam,  till  all  herjoints  of  oak 
Mourned  dreadful,  like  a  lion  dying  'neath  the  fatal  stroke. 
Still,  'midst  the  strife  of  elements,  our  brave  boy  calmly  smiled, 
His  eagle  eye  grew  brighter,  gazing  on  the  conflict  wild, 
Of  tempest  and  of  ocean,  and  when  others  prayed  and  wept, 
Softly  he  nestled  on  my  breast,  and  smiling,  fearless  slept. 

xv. 

The  wrathful  storm  passed  by  at  length  as  we  the  tropic  neared, 

The  breeze  grew  warm  upon  the  deck,  and  o'er  the  sea  appeared 

Some  sunny  islands,  sleeping  luxuriant  on  the  wave, 

As  beautiful  as  paradise,  as  peaceful  as  the  grave. 

We  landed  on  the  Isthmus — two  days  we  wandered  there, 

Amidst  those  rocky  defiles,  breathing  that  noxious  air ; 


32  MINNIE    MONTGOMERY. 

Gazing  upon  that  scenery,  leaf,  flower  and  tropic  tree, 

So  fair  and  so  luxuriant,  so  strange  to  northern  eye  ; 

At  length  the  western  ocean  broke  upon  our  gladdened  sight, 

And  we  gave  a  welcome  shout  with  as  pure  heartfelt  delight, 

As  Xenophon's  immortal  band,  with  labor  well  nigh  lost, 

When  they  reached  the  mountain's  summit,  the  relics  of  a  host, 

And  there  from  off  the  mountain's  crest  they  turned  each  languid 

eye, 
And  "lo  !"  they  cried,  "  To  westward  far,  behold  !  the  sea!    the 

sea!" 

XVI. 

We  stopped  not  long  in  Panama,  the  steamer  ready  lay, 
And  we  hastened  to  it  as  our  home,  anchored  upon  the  Bay, 
And  when  the  steamer  headed  from  the  shore  her  mighty  prow, 
And  her  wheels  the  sable  waters  back  in  foam  began  to  throw, 
As  she  started  in  her  mighty  strength  and  grandeur  up  the  main, 
I  felt  a  thrill  of  happiness  come  o'er  my  soul  again. 
For  the  Isthmus,  with  its  sickness,  I  thought  was  safely  passed, 
And  we  were  on  a  peaceful  sea,  and  nearing  you  so  fast ; 
Twos  then,  alas  !  our  noble  boy,  who  had  so  calmly  smiled, 
When  ocean  bellowed  in  his  ear,  and  the  storm's  dread  voice  was 

wild ; 

Then  filled  with  the  miasmas  rank,  which  from  the  Isthmus  rise, 
'Grew  sick  and  lost  his  cheerful  look,  and  ceased  his  merry  plays; 
All  remedies  were  naught  to  him,  alas !  he  suffered  so, 
His  eyes  grew  leaden  and  the  sweat  in  cold  drops  chilled  his  brow. 
On  the  fourth  morn  he  stretched  in  pain,  his  little  arms  toward 

me; 

Gave  one  look  up  in  my  face,  of  unfathomed  agony ; 
Then  with  a  short  convulsion  his  little  bosom  shook, 


MINNIE   MONTGOMERY.  8'3 

And  his  soul  in  that  convulsion  from  all  its  earth  bonds  broke  ; 
And  sinking  on  my  aching  breast,  his  bright  eyes  closed  in  death, 
While  his  lips  still  seemed  to  murmur,  though   moisten'd  by  no 
breath. 

XVII. 

And  then  the  rude  men  came,  and  tore  him  from  my  last  embrace, 

And  in  a  coarse,  rough  shroud,  forever  hid  his  sunny  face. 

They  spread  the  dark  flag  o'er  him,  and  laid  him  on  the  guard, 

I  saw  the  seamen  by  his  side,  the  funeral  service  heard  ; 

I  felt  a  thousand  sad  eyes  bent  pityingly  on  me, 

For  our  child  had  been  a  favorite  with  all  upon  the  sea  ; 

I  heard  a  single  splash,  and  then  I  saw  a  foam  capped  wave, 

As  it,  alas  !  our  darling  hid,  within  an  ocean  grave ; 

And  then  I  heard  no  longer  the  thundering  of  the  deep, 

I  heard  no  billows  breaking,  no  wild  winds  in  their  sweep ; 

The  trembling  of  the  vessel  I  no  more  heeded  now, 

For  I  had  sunk,  insensible,  overcome  with  all  my  woe. 

I  woke  at  last,  the  stupor  worked  slowly  from  my  brain, 

And  the  memory  of  my  sorrows  came  back  in  all  its  pain ; 

And  then  I  prayed  a  tempest  dire  might  o'er  the  ocean  roll, 

For  the  dead  calm  was  a  torture  intense  upon  my  soul ; 

Nothing  was  heard  but  far  below  the  engines  working  hoarse, 

Like  ocean  monsters  quarreling  o'er  our  dead  infant's  corse." 

XVIII. 

A  tear  stole  from  the  dark  eye  of  Montgomery,  as  he  said — 
"  Oh !  sad  intelligence,  alas  !     How  infinitely  sad, 
How  dear  has  been  the  price  to  us,  our  paltry  wealth  has  cost, 
Our  child,  our  precious  child,  to  us  for  ever,  ever  lost ; 

The  prey  of  grasping  sickness,  of  pain  and  wetched  death, 
3 


34  MINNIE   MONTGOMERY. 

The  food  for  ocean  monsters  in  their  lairs,  the  sea  beneath ; 
Oh  !  most  afflicting  circumstance,  most  terrible  event, 
Why  was  the  cup  of  bitterness,  thus  at  this  moment  sent  ? 

XIX. 

And  then  a  silence  fell  upon  them,  each  occupied  alone 

With  their  own  thoughts,  which  that  moment  unbidden  seemed 

to  come. 

Thus  wrapt  in  meditation,  they  unconsciously  drew  near, 
Till  their  cheeks  pressed  each  other,  and  they  mingled  tear  with 

tear. 
She  spoke — 

"  He  was  a  fairy  boy,  so  beautiful,  so  brave, 
I  thought  my  heart  was  breaking  when  they  told  me  nought  could 


save 


And  when  they  hurled  him  in  the  ocean,  and  my  reason  failed, 

Still  in  my  wild  delirium  my  child's  death  I  bewailed. 

But  tell  me,  Clay,  how  have  you  fared  in  this  strange  land,  my 

dear? 
Give  me  a  story  of  your  life  since  first  you  wandered  here." 

xx. 

He  answered—"  'Twere  a  tedious  tale ;  long  months  I  toiled  along, 
'Midst  canon,  rock,  and  defile,  and  the  mountains'  heart  of  stone. 
I  wore  a  miner's  garment,  I  lived  on  miner's  fare, 
I  slept  beneath  a  miner's  roof,  or  oftener  'neath  the  clear 
And  peaceful  Heavens,  with  bright  worlds  spangled  o'er, 
While  round,  the  summer  zephyrs  played  amidst  the  pine  tops  hoar 
Their  soft  JSolian  melodies,  like  angel  voices  sweet ; 
The  mountains  towered  above,  the  world  was  slumbering  at  my 
feet; 


MIXXIE    MONTGOMERY.  35 

And  the  toil  upon  my  body,  the  mountains'  bracing  air, 
The  scenery  rich  and  beautiful,  the  lowering  pine  and  fir ; 
The  wild  flower,  the  waterfall,  and  more  wonderful,  the  flow 
Of  the  torrent  in  the  spring  time,  when  the  south  winds   fan  the 

snow ; 

Or  more  fearful  and  beautiful,  the  avalanche's  tread, 
When  the  piled  up  snows  of  ages  in  one  vast  mass  is  sped, 
When  the  cedars  of  the  mountains,  and  the  mighty  rocks  are  rent, 
And  all  in  one  wild  rum,  far  below  is  hurled  and  blent; 
Such  scenery,  such  exercise,  and  the  mountains'  cooling  springs, 
Restored  again  my  wasted  frame,  till  health,  on  rosy  wings, 
Hung  her  mantle  at  my  tent  door  and  fanned  my  aching  brain, 
Till  it  ceased  its  fevered  throbbings  and  forgot  its  crushing  pain. 


XXI. 


And  I  was  blessed,  with  yellow  dro^s  my  ample  purse  was  filled, 
I  trust  my  heart  had  gratitude,  that  thus  kind  heaven  will'd. 
'Twas  then  I  left  my  mountain  home  and  turned  my  footsteps  here, 
To  practice  that  profession  that  was  ever  to  me  dear ; 
Nor  waited  idle  very  long,  for  one  morn  walking  forth, 
I  saw  a  scared  steed  dash  a  helpless  infant  to  the  earth, 
And  mangle  it  so  horribly  that  other  surgeons  nigh, 
Looked  on  the  subject  and  pronounced  it  hurt  past  remedy  ; 
But  when  the  mother  raised  her  voice,  and  weeping,  wailing,  said, 
It  was  her  darling,  only  child,  my  heart  for  pity  bled ; 
For  I  thought  of  you,  my  Minnie,  and  our  unequal'd  son, 
(Our  peerless  child,  which  did,  alas !  his  race  so  quickly  run), 
And  stepping  forth,  the  broken  bones  and  ligaments  I  bound, 
Tied  up  the  bleeding  arteries,  and  closed  each  gaping  wound; 
And  after  weeks  of  watching,  I  saw  my  patient  heal, 


36  MINNIE    MONTGOMERY. 

Saw  that  mother's  heart  o'erflow,  as  her  joy  she  strove  to  tell, 
And  when  the  child  recovered  and  could  smile  upon  her  knee 
Her  heart  gushed  out  in  gratitude,  unbounded  unto  me ; 
It  made  me  very  famous,  too,  and  in  the  city  here, 
The  first  physicians  think  it  no  disgrace  to  call  me  peer. 

XXII. 

My  money  I  invested,  and  my  good  stars  were  so  kind, 
That  every  purchase  seemed  to  have  a  fortune  round  it  twined : 
And  wealth  came  flowing  unto  me  in  secret  golden  springs, 
'Till  now  I  have  an  income,  rich  and  splendid  as  a  king's. 

XXIII. 

I  had  prepared  a  fair  attire,  to  deck  your  graceful  form, 
Jewels  and  gems,  and  diamonds  rare,  to  highten  every  charm ; 
But  tidings  mournful  as  ye  bring,  become  not  vain  display, 
Like  gaudy  robes  or  burning  gems,  or  pearls  or  rubies  gay  ; 
You  look  fatigued,  my  poor,  dear  wife,  try  and  repose  awhile, 
I  will  return  and  talk  with  you,  when  you  more  rested  feel ; 
I  have  a  little  business  in  the  city  for  an  hour, 
Meanwhile,  I  pray,  submit  yourself  to  sleep's  refreshing  power, 
And  should  you  in  my  absence  the  smallest  trifle  need, 
Ring  yonder  bell,  a  servant  will  the  summons  straightway  heed. 

XXIV. 

Saying  this,  he  left  the  splendid  room,  while  the  bewildered  wife 
Gazed  round  her  in  astonishment,  for  never  in  her  life 
Had  she  aspired  higher  than  a  cottage,  plain  and  neat, 
Now  she  seemed  in  fairy  land,  in  some  genii's  grand  retreat. 
"Is  this  no  blissful  dream?"  said  she,  umy  reason,  are  ye  still 
Clear  and  unclouded  on  your  throne,  or  did  my  child's  death  kill 


MINNIE    MONTGOMERY.  37 

The  little  spark  that  burned  before  ?"    And  then  she  pressed  her 

brow. 

"  What  splendor,  what  magnificence  am  I  beholding  now  ? 
Harp,  curtain,  carpet,  mirror,  books  and  tinselry  of  gold, 
What  means  this  glitter,  this  display,  that  my  poor  eyes  behold?" 


A  door  that  led  from  the  rich  room,  ajar  stood  on  its  hinge, 
She  pushed  it  wider  open,  and  then  a  fevered  tinge 
Swept  o'er  her  features,  and  her  heart  with  deep  emotion  swelled, 
As  spell-bound,  the  scene  before  here,  she  wonderingly  beheld, 
And  low  upon  her  heaving  breast,  she  bowed  her  pensive  head, 
And  down  her  ashen  cheeks  a  flood  of  burning,  sad  tears  fled. 

XXVI. 

Far  back  by  Susquehanna's  stream,  a  simple  dwelling  stood, 
Before  it  was  the  river  deep,  around  a  grove  of  wood ; 
And  in  its  sacred  precincts,  there  was  one  little  room, 
Two  pictures  on  the  cold  gray  walls,  relieved  in  part  its  gloom  ; 
Some  simple  furniture  it  had,  some  toys  were  on  the  floor, 
As  if  a  child  in  its  new  glee,  had  dropped  what  pleased  before. 
That  was  Minnie's  bridal  chamber.     At  first  upon  the  wall, 
No  ornament  was  shining,  save  her  picture,  fair  and  tall. 
Anon,  by  some  mysterious  hand,  beside  her  likeness  there, 
Another  picture  had  appeared,  e'en  more  divinely  fair ; 
Methinks,  in  some  old  tale  I've  read,  was  found  the  sweet  design, 
'Twas  a  fond  and  youthful  mother,  whose  slender  arm  entwined, 
Her  first  born  in  its  innocence,  and  she  held  it  towards  its  sire, 
While  in  their  eyes,  sweet,  holy  love,  beamed  like  celestial  fire. 
And  afterward,  beside  her  own,  was  drawn  a  little  bed, 
And  upon  its  downy  pillow  shone,  to  her  an  angel's  head ; 


38  MINNIE    MONTGOMERY. 

Here  was  the  picture  painted  o'er,  but  with  a  golden  brush, 
And  as  she  gazed,  the  memory  of  years  did  o'er  her  rush ; 
The  years  of  her  existence,  since  she  became  a  wife, 
And  started  on  that  holy  and  hallowed  path  of  life. 
But  from  that  downy  pillow  there  shone  no  golden  curls, 
No,  where  the  storm-wrapt  ocean  the  foam  capped  billow  hurls, 
That  sunny  head  was  slumbering,  unconcious  of  the  storm 
That  broke,  and  rolled,  and  thundered  upon  its  slender  form. 

XXTII. 

Then  from  room  to  room,  she  wandered,  and  wondrous  to  behold, 
Some  new  beauty,  some  splendor  each  moment  did  unfold. 
"Ah,  me  !  Ah,  me  !"  she  said,  "To  what  magnificence  I've  come; 
A  millionaire  my  husband,  and  so  palace-like  my  home ; 
How  swift,  and  oh,  how  beautiful  have  all  these  changes  been, 
Yesterday  a  peasant,  almost,  to-day  almost  a  queen ; 
And  am  I  truly  grateful?     Oh !  may  my  proud  thought  bow, 
May  to  Him  be  all  the  glory  from  whom  our  blessings  flow  ; 
And  then  she  knelt  upon  the  gorgeous  carpet  'neath  her  feet, 
And  murmured  forth  a  prayer,  in  tones  so  tender,  low,  and  sweet, 
That  angels  might  have  stopped  awhile  their  sounding  harps  on 

high, 

To  listen,  as  the  enchanting  voice  thrilled  thro'  the  concave  sky, 
As  it  journeyed  thro'  space,  beyond  the  clouds'  and  stars'  abode, 
Until  it  trembling  fell  upon  the  awful  ear  of  God. 


Father  in  Heaven !  Thou  who  from  the  cloud 
Canst  still  the  storm  and  stay  the  lightning's  sweep, 
Thou,  whose  Almighty  arm  can  bow  the  proud, 
Thou,  whose  all  radiant  smile  can  stay  the  weak, 


MINNIE  MONTGOMERY.  39 

Look  on  the  creature  that  before  Thee  kneels, 

Have  pity  on  the  heart  that  sorrow  feels, 

And  from  Thy  throne  of  purity  and  light, 

Drive  from  my  soul  its  darkness  and  affright ; 

And  may  I  feel  that  in  yon  azure  Heaven, 

My  sins,  though  many,  all  are  marked  forgiven. 

Oh !  may  I  to  my  husband  ever  be 

The  dearest  object — Lord,  excepting  Thee. 

And  Oh !  preserve  that  husband  in  Thy  power, 

Sustain  his  mind  in  dread  temptation's  hour, 

And  make  us  very  happy  here  below. 

Give  us  a  flood  of  grace  to  overthrow 

All  obstacles  a  sinful  world  may  build 

Between  us  and  the  path  Thou,  God,  hast  willed 

That  we  should  trea/d  upon.     And  when  the  breath 

From  the  wrung  body  separates  in  Death, 

When  the  glad  earth  is  fading  on  the  view, 

And  the  dark  world  reflects  its  shadowy  hue, 

And  when  our  eyes  are  dimmed  in  Death's  dread  stream, 

Grant  they  may  ope  where  Heaven's  rich  splendors  beam ; 

And  then  in  praise  we'll  raise  to  Thee  a  strain 

So  loud  that  angels  shall  unite.     Amen. 

XXVIII. 

It  would  have  filled  a  sculptor's  or  painter's  wildest  dream ; 
But  such  beauty  from  marble  or  from  canvas  ne'er  did  beam  ; 
That  being  in  her  loveliness,  bent  tremblingly  in  prayer, 
Her  thin  hands  clasped,  her  brow  of  pearl  so  magically  fair, 
Her  blue  eyes  closed,  while  o'er  Hep  cheeks  the  long,  dark  lashes 


40  MINNIE   MONTGOMERY. 

And,  curling  o'er  her  snowy  neck,  the  ringlets  swept  in  play  ; 

In  her  fervor,  the  color  was  enkindled  on  her  cheekr 

Her  parted  lips,  though  silent,,  seemed  again  about  to  speak. 

Thus  bowed  the  beauteous  creature  low  in  prayer  before  her  God, 

That  prayer  on  angel  pinions,  to  Heaven's  high  mansions  rode. 

Twas  true,  what  Luther  said,  "There's  nothing  under  Heaven 

Sweeter  than  is  a  woman's  heart,  when  it  to  God  is  given  I" 

She  lingered  thus  a  moment,,  and  then  sedate  arose, 

And  walked  to  her  piano  ;  as  a  crystal  fountain  flows, 

Serene  and  full  of  melody,  with  sweet  and  liquid  tone, 

Murmuring  in  happiness,  though  journeying  on  alone  ; 

So  swept  her  slender  fingers  along  the  ivory  keys, 

And  a  strain  of  sweetness  followed  as  soft  as  summer  breeze, 

And  then  in  wilder  measures,  her  hands  more  swiftly  fell, 

And  from  the  echoing  instrument,  gushed  melodies  to  swell 

The  heart  with  their  intensity,  so  ravishingly  grand, 

It  seemed  a  harp  of  Heaven,  touched  by  an  angel's  hand ; 

And  then  in  gentle  numbers,  the  sweet  sounds  died  away, 

And  with  a  simple  prelude,  she  chanted  forth  this  lay. 

SQXG. 
Holy  Father,  hear  my  wailing, 

Here  upon  this  Western  shore, 
For  dark  terrors  are  assailing, 

And  my  heart  is  sadly  tore. 

May  thy  spirit  smile  upon  me, 

From  thy  throne  beyond  the  stars, 

And  may  that  smile  be  company, 
Through  earth's  unceasing  oaves,. 


MINNIE  MONTGOMERY.  41 

For  life  at  best  is  wearisome, 

There's  many  an  hour  of  g^om, 
That  round  the  gayest  mortals  come, 

'Twixt  the  cradle  arid  the  tomb. 

Our  days  are  full  of  bitterness, 

Then  let  us  learn  to  love, 
Alone  to  look  for  happiness, 

In  the  better  world  above. 

"Where  the  weary  spirit  resteth 

And  the  troubled  head  is  free, 
To  share  that  joy  which  lasteth 

Through  a  wide  Eternity. 

As  the  echoes  of  the  last  note  rolled  through  the  mansion  grand, 
She  leaned  upon  the  instrument,  her  head  upon  her  hand ; 
And  overcome  with  suffering,  fatigue,  surprise,  delight, 
Her  senses  to  the  peaceful  realms  of  slumber  bent  their  flight, 
And  when  an  hour  had  passed,  Montgomery  found  her  there, 
Her  head  still  resting  on  her  hand,  so  fragile  and  so  fair» 


CANTO   III. 


Two  months  had  rolled  away,  since  Montgomery's  matchless  wife 

Had  come  to  prove  the  trials  of  a  California  life ; 

Her  fears  had  vanished,  and  her  hopes  and  beauty  were  restored, 

And  she  seemed  a  being  worthy  enough  to  be  adored. 

Though  her  polished  brow  was  sad  at  times,  it  had  a  sacred  charm, 

For  it  told  tho  mother's  woe  o'er  her  dead  child  yet  was  warm. 

A  mother's  love — how  fathomless,  disinterested,  pure — 

It  yearns,  no  lust  to  gratify ;  no  fortune  to  secure. 

ii. 

'  Twas  evening ;  and  Montgomery  and  his  fair  wife,  side  by  side, 
Were  conversing  fond  together,  like  a  bridegroom  and  a  bride. 
"  You  are  looking  fair,  my  Minnie,"  the  happy  husband  said ; 
"Those  eyes  of  thine  around  to-night  all  their  old  lustre  shed; 
I  am  rejoiced  to  see  the  rose  to  thy  fair  cheek  return ; 
I  am  glad  to  welcome  back  thy  smile,  that  used  so  sweet  to  burn 
On  thy  calm  face  ;  oft  when  the  midnight  o'er  the  mountain's  brow 
Her  sable  mantle  hung,  I've  seen  that  smile  in  dreams  as  now 
Beaming  upon  me,  and  though  alone  amidst  the  wild, 
I  felt  my  guardian  angel  had  come  near,  and  on  me  smiled." 


MINNIE   MONTGOMERY.  43 

III. 

She  answered:  "I  too  am  rejoiced  to  find  prosperity, 

While  it  changed  your  fortune  much,  left  your  heart  unchanged 

to  me. 

Oh !  tell  me,  what  wife  could  not  smile,  with  the  assurance  blest, 
Her  image  held  the  sacred  place  in  her  beloved  one's  breast? 
That  he,  her  chosen  one,  looked  on  her  acts  approvingly, 
And  at  her  imperfections  glanced  with  a  forgiving  eye. 
Tell  me,  what  cheek  would  fail  to  bloom  in  the  soft  atmosphere 
A  husband's  love  sheds  round  a  wife,  like  summer  all  the  year. 

IV. 

"  Minnie  !  "  said  Clay,  "  You  are  the  fairest  gift  prosperity, 
Of  ail  her  splendid  presents,  has  or  can  bequeath  to  me ; 
The  treasure  I  prize  higher  and  more  sacredly  than  gold ; 
Yea  ;  while  I  pined  in  penury,  you  were  a  wealth  untold ; 
A  gem  to  which  the  golden  sands  in  California's  streams, 
Or  pearls  and  rubies  that  in  ocean's  awful  chasm  gleams, 
Are  but  as  yonder  lamp's  dull  light  beside  the  great  sun's  rays, 
When  in  noontide  magnificence  he  on  the  world  doth  blaze.  " 

v. 

"You  choose  to  flatter  me  to-night,  "  the  happy  wife  replied; 
You  kindle  almost  in  my  heart  my  vanity  and  pride 
So  near  that  I'm  determined  to  show  you  something  now, 
That  mortal  eye  save  mine  ne'er  saw,  of  which   save  me  none 

know  : 

You  remember  in  my  girlish  days  I  had  a  strange  desire 
To  be  a  painter,  for  within  I  felt  an  artist's  fire, 
At  least  I  fancied  so,  and  when  at  last  you  went  away, 
The  time  rolled  by  so  sorrowful,  so  weary,  day  by  day, 


44  MINNIE    MONTGOMERY. 

For  pastime  and  amusement  to  while  away  the  hours, 
In  sketching  scenes  about  our  home  I  tried  my  feeble  powers.  " 
Saying  this,  she  held  a  picture  before  her  husband's  face 
And  asked  him  if  his  memory  could  call  up  such  a  place  ? 

TI. 

"  Sure,  by  Heaven !  "  he  answered,  "Minnie,  'tis  natural  as  life  ; 
Ah !  the  memory  of  those  scenes  is  with  holy  pleasure  rife  ; 
Our  quiet  Pennsylvania  home;  the  old  majestic  elm, 
Its  branches  are  the  wild  winds'  harp,  the  glad  bird's  shady  realm  ; 
There's  garden,  orchard,  woodland,  and  yonder  o'er  the  plain, 
The  grazing  herds;  and  further  see,  the  hills  all  white  with  grain!" 


"  And  husband !  knowest  thou  this  ?  "  said  she.     He  answered, 

"  Tis  most  true, 

The  old  church  with  its  sombre  dome  and  weather-beaten  hue  ; 
Listen !  methinks  e'en  now  I  hear  the  organ's  solemn  peal 
Roll  its  deep  echoes  grand  and  deep  adown  each  ancient  aisle.  " 


"  And  what  think'st  thou  of  this  ?  "  she  asked — 

"  Most  sacred  group  "  said  he, 

"Your  parents  in  their  evening  years,  in  bloom  the  almond  tree, 
Father  and  Mother,  Bible,  chair,  the  sun  and  stars  and  light, 
Grown  dim  those  spirits  all  in  readiness  to  take  their  flight 
Back  to  the  God  who  quickened  them,  and  who  from  his  white 

throne 
Has  seen  their  righteous  acts  on  earth  and  all  their  pure  thoughts 

known, " 


MINNIE    MONTGOMERY.  45 

IX. 

Then  with  sad  look  and  solemn  voice  she  asked  him  if  he  knew 
A  picture  which,  with  trembling  hand,  she  held  before  his  view. 


"  Know  it!  "  replied  Montgomery — the  treasure  we  have  lost, 

He  who  is  silent  sleeping  now  with  ocean's  countless  host, 

Know  it,  that  eye  of  thine,  that  smile,  that  noble  brow, 

Those  ringlets  that  around  it  like  a  sea  of  beauty  flow; 

The  little  link  'twas  given  us  to  bind  our  first  sweet  love, 

And  which  to  think  of  now  leads  up  our  wandering  minds  above 

To  Heaven's  resplendent  mansions  where  those  cherub  lips  repeat 

Anthems  of  such  rapt  splendor,  they  are  to  God's  ear  sweet, 

Those  tiny  hands  are  sweeping  swift  immortal  strings  to-day, 

And  seraphs  stop  to  listen,  and  archangels  join  the  lay. 

Know  it !  when  will  I  not  know  it  ?     Our  precious  only  child  ! 

The  present  given  by  Heaven  when  our  love  was  young  and  wild; 

A  part  of  our  own  beings — now  your  tears  begin  to  flow, 

The  memory  of  our  lost  one  brings  back  its  weight  of  woe ; 

How  natural  and  beautiful  thy  images  are  cast, 

My  gentle,  wondrous  Minnie,  what  faculties  thou  hast.  " 


"  You  make  me  very  happy  now,  "  replied  the  sobbing  wife, 
Methinks  I've  at  times  a  foretaste  of  Heaven  in  this  life ; 
If  those  poor  sketches  please  you,  as  we  have  a  leisure  hour, 
I'll  show  you  some   I  painted  when  my  hand  had  gained  more 

power, 

And  my  taste  a  little  had  improved  by  labour  and  by  care  ; 
Their  outlines  are  more  vivid,  their  pencilings  more  fair.  " 


46  MINNIE  MONTGOMERY. 

XII. 

Then  she  took  from  her  portfolio  some  paintings  rare  and  grand, 

Scenes  his  memory  quickly  traced  back  to  his  Fatherland ; 

The  scenery  of  his  childhood,  the  river  and  the  hill ; 

The  cottage  of  the  farmer,  the  waterfall  and  mill ; 

The  garden  with  its  sweet  flowers,  the  city  and  the  lake, 

And  deep  woods,  whose  strong  branches  in  the  cool  winds  bend 

and  quake. 

Montgomery  was  delighted,  and  he  praised  his  fair  wife's  skill, 
Till  she  felt  a  gush  of  gladness  her  secret  heart  cells  thrill, 
And  she  stopped  his  praises  with  a  kiss.     Then  he  said — 

"My  dear, 

Thou  shalt  not  lack  for  glorious  scenes  to  fill  your  fancy  here, 
We  have  many  a  rolling  river,  majestic  in  its  flow, 
And  many  a  verdant  valley  where  the  wild  flowers  love  to  grow ; 
Many  a  snow-clad  mountain  and  many  a  mighty  tree, 
Amidst  their  boughs  wild  eaglets  scream,  and  wilder  winds  make 

glee; 

We  have  many  fearful  chasms,  the  rents  of  ages  past, 
As  if  Nature  had  been  wrung  before  in  anguish  wild  and  vast ; 
We  have  many  curious  animals  and  birds,  and  reptiles  queer, 
And  radiant  skies  all  cloudless  almost  the  live  long  year. 
I  have  something  to  show  you  too — by  the  clock  'tis  early  yet — 
And  I  have  ever  tried  through  life  not  long  to  owe  a  debt ; 
When  within  the  dreary  mountains  my  hard  day's  toil  was  done, 
And  evening  found  me  in  my  tent  with  Nature  all  alone, 
I  had  a  feeling  some  akin  to  that  which  prompted  you 
To  sketch  those  beaming  pictures  you  just  held  up  to  view, 
I  dreamed  not  then  that  you  would  come  this  weary  distance  here, 
Across  the  fevered  Isthmus,  o'er  the  oceans  vast  and  drear, 


MINNIE   MONTGOMERY,  47 

And  I  thought,  to  while  the  hours  away,  a  story  I  would  write  ; 
A  history  of  my  wanderings  and  dreams  I  would  indite, 
And  I  thought  some  future  day,  when  age  had  o'er  us  stole, 
I  would  read  to  you,  some  lonely  hour,  the  unconnected  scroll; 
Or,  I  thought  when  I  was  dead  and  my  grave  was  covered  deepr 
You  would  find  the  dingy  manuscript  and  o'er  its  pages  weep.  " 


"  Oh  !  talk  not  so,  dear  husband — were  your  grave  now  covered  up 
I  would  pray  death  might  pity  me  and  send  the  bitter  cup>  " 
Said  the  agitated  Minnie,  while  sadly  in  her  eye 
A  tear  was  shining  like  a  star  upon  a  cloudy  sky. 


Montgomery  continued,  "Since  to-night  you  were  so  kind 
As  to  show  me  all  those  fairy  scenes  your  pencil  had  designed 
I  will  your  generous  confidence  at  least  repay  in  part, 
By  reading  you  what  heretofore  was  secret  in  my  heart ; 
Then  he  drew  from  out  his  papers  a  manuscript  much  worn, 
"With  leaves  all  wrinkled  and  deformed,  and  pages  bent  and  torn, 
And  sitting  down  beside  her  he  said,  "  I'm  honored,  dear, 
My  poem  ne'er  was  read  before  to  audience  half  so  fair.  " 
Then  she  smiled  serene  upon  him,  and  leaned  her  graceful  head 
Upon  his  arm  confidingly,  and  listened  while  he  read. 

xv. 

Then  a  vivid  and  thrilling  tale  he  read  in  measures  sweet, 
Of  his  wanderings  o'er  hills  and  plains,  a  history  complete, 
How  for  many,  many  a  weary  month  they  toiled  upon  the  way, 
How  the  wilderness  grew  more  profound  and  desolate  each  day, 
How  'neath  the  hand  of  sickness  his  strongest  comrades  died 


-IS  MINNIE  MOOTGOMER?. 

How  they  dug  for  them  lone,  unmarked  graves  their  weary  path 

beside, 

How  many  a  glorious  landscape  loomed  up  upon  the  way, 
How  Nature  painted  them  a  scene  sublime  and  new  each  day  ; 
Blue  mountains  in  the  distance,  fair  plains  beneath  the  eye, 
Bold  rocks  abruptly  rising,  deep  rivers  rolling  by ; 
A  city  in  the  wilderness — a  silent,  tideless  lake, 
Whose  waters  dense  and  bitter  would  no  traveller's  fierce   thirst 

slake ; 

How  a  thousand  foaming  buffalo  would  rush  across  their  track  ; 
How  the  wolves  around  their  camp  at  night  would  howl,  a  venal 

pack; 

How  tribes  of  hostile  savages  would  prowl  upon  their  path, 
kike  grim  and  hideous  phantoms,  like  messengers  of  death ; 
How  on  the  barren  desert  their  beasts  of  burden  died, 
And  strong  men,  like  children  weak,  for  a  cup  of  water  cried ; 
Then  days  of  dreadful  loneliness,  of  body  wasting  toil, 
While  delving  in  river  beds,  in  the  mountains  stony  soil ; 
Of  hours  of  fearful  suffering,  when  fever  thrilled  his  veins, 
And  the  body  cramped  and  writhed  beneath  convulsing  pains; 
Arid  when  far  in  the  mountains  the  snows  did  him  besiege, 
Until  his  feet  did  wander  upon  starvation's  verge  : 
'Twas  a  poem  full  of  beauty,  and  his  fair  wife  smiled  or  cried, 
As  upon  each  different  chord  of  her  tender  heart  he  played. 
And  when  he  ceased  to  read,  she  was  eloquent  in  praise, 
Declaring  her  poor  paintings  were  nothing  to  his  lays. 
"I   shall  dream  to-night"  said  she,  "of  wandering  o'er  those 

plains, 

For  in  my  ears  are  ringing  still,  those  melting,  thrilling  strains. 
Last  night  was  full  of  terrors  for  I  so  strangely  dreamed 


MINNIE    MONTGOMERY.  49 

I  was  sailing  on  the  ocean,  or  so  at  least  it  seemed; 
I  heard  the  rush  of  wild  winds,  for  a  storm  convulsed  the  deep, 
I  felt  the  vessel  tremble,  as  the  billows  round  did  sweep, 
I  heard  the  tramp  of  feet  on  deck,  the  call  and  the  reply; 
Midst  parting  chains,  and  splitting  sails,  and  crashing  masts,  a  cry 
Arose  above  the  tumult  dire,  in  terror  and  dismay, 
And  I  knew  the  ship  upon  the  sea  all  crushed  and  broken  lay ; 
The  mad  waves  stove  her  oaken  beams ;  I  knew  that  hope  had  fled. 
One  prayer  I  offered  up  to  Heaven,  for  thee  one  tear  I  shed ; 
Up  through  the  palace  cabins  the  bitter  waters  rose, 
'  The  great   ship  moaned  in  every  beam,  as  they  o'er  it  dark  did 

close ; 

Then  followed  death's  fierce  agony,  but  it  rolled  briefly  by. 
Dear  husband,  is't  so  terrible  a  thing,  think  you,  to  die  ? 
At  first  there  was  a  struggle,  and  then  the  pain  was  gone, 
I  felt  that  we  were  sinking  ten  thousand  fathoms  down. 
The  bellowing  of  the  ocean  grew  sweet  to  hear  at  last, 
And  it  murmured  in  my  ear  like  an  organ  grand  and  vast : 
At  length  we  reached  the  kingdoms  of  the  children  of  the  main, 
Where  fabled  Thetis  calls  her  nymphs  ;  where  Neptune  holds  his 

reign : 

There,  in  chambers  of  magnificence,  the  pearl  and  ruby  beamed, 
And  rarest  gems  and   diamonds  midst   the  courts   of  emerald 

gleamed ; 

Another  sun  was  shining  fair  to  light  those  realms  below, 
And  round  it  other  planets  rolled,  solemn,  august  and  slow  ; 
Another  moon  and  stars  shone  upward  through  the  waters  there, 
And  their  beams  were  far  more  brilliant  than  those  that  bathe 

us].here. 
And  as  we  came,  the  ocean  dead  rose  up  a  countless  band, 


50  MINNIE    MONTGOMERY. 

A  smile  was  on  each  feature  and  extended  was  each  hand; 

No  more  the  ghastly  corses  that  make  loathsome  ocean's  caves, 

But  they  stood  in  child-like  freshness  all  ransomed  from  their 

graves ; 

And  fairest  midst  the  radiant  band,  I  marked  our  peerless  child; 
I  thought  to  clasp  him  to  my  heart  in  joy  intense  and  wild; 
And  then  the  vision  passed  away.     Say,  husband,  dearest  one, 
What  could  have  made  my  wandering  mind  in  such  a  channel 

run?" 

xvr. 
"Never  mind,"  replied  Montgomery,  "Let  us  change  the  subject, 

dear, 
You  know  two  months  have  rolled  away  since  first  you  landed 

here, 

I  had  thought  on  your  arrival  to  make  a  festival, 
Our  neighbors  and  the  friends  we  love  around  our  hearth  to  call, 
But  mournful  tidings  as  ye  brought  became  not  vain  display. 
Now  time  has  passed— 'tis  due  our  friends— why  need  we  more 

delay  ? 

Let's  have  it  New  Year's  evening — upon  a  holiday, 
Our  friends  will  be  the  more  rejoiced  to  visit  us,"  said  Clay. 

XVII. 

"If  you  wish  it,  'tis  my  will,  "  replied  the  obliging  wife, 
"  But  Clay,  I  pray  you  let  it  be  with  no  wild  revels  rif?, 
For  surely  since  our  infant's  death,  to  me  the  swelling  tear 
Has  been  a  close  companion,  and  it  seems  so  sadly  dear, 
I  would  not  now  exchange  it  for  vain  fashion's  hollow  smile, 
With  which,  though  heart  be  breaking,  we  must  deck  ourselves < 
the  while.  " 


MINNIE   MONTGOMERY.  SI 

XVIII. 

"  "Tis  well,  "  replied  her  husband,  "  but  one  favor  I  would  crave, 
Will  you,  to  please  me,  wear,  the  richest  jewelry  you  have  ? 
For  the  San  Francisco  people  for  once  I  would  make  stare, 
By  showing  them  a  creature,  so  refined,  and  chaste,  and  fair, 
That  their  eyes  shall  all  be  blinded,  as  they  upon  her  gaze  ! 
Nay,  wife,  to  such  a  little  wish,  do  not  objections  raise. 
I  know  'tis  not  quite  etiquette,  to  dress  so  well  at  home, 
But  'tis  your  first  appearance  at  a  party  since  you  come  ; 
Grant  me  this  trifling  favor,  and  I  promise  you  the  rest, 
You  may  devise  and  execute,  just  as  you  deem  it  best. 


XIX. 


"  'Tis  granted,  Clay,  "  she  answered,  "  all  for  your  sake  I'll  bear  ; 
For  your  dear  sake  alone  I  wish  your  plain  wife  was  more  fair.  " 


xx. 


Let  us  leave  the  happy  couple,  wrapt  in  love's  mantle  warm, 
Let  us  leave  them,  sweet  conversing,  while  love  words  have  their 

charm. 

In  fancy  we  will  enter  yonder  beautiful  saloon  ; 
Hark  !  from  those  living  instruments  that  soft,  enrapturing  tune  ; 
See  !  behind  those  marble  counters,  those  shining  bottles  stand, 
Behold  those  splendid  paintings  hanging  rudely  on  each  hand, 
And  see,  beside  those  tables,  heaped  up  with  glittering  gold, 
Those  fallen  women  sitting,  all  uncovered  and  bold, 
Amidst  the  crowd  of  lustful  men,  who  nightly  there  do  meet, 
To  gaze  upon  their  withered  charms,  to  coax  unyielding  Fate  ; 
To  make  their  fortunes  by  a  throw.     Oh  !  hear  that  bitter  curse, 
The  card  was  false  !  Another  bosom  writhes  in  wild  remorse  ; 
A  miner's  little  fortune  has  all  dissolved  away  ! 


52  MIHNIE    MONTGOMERY. 

The  ship  to  bear  him  to  his  home  lies  waiting  on  the  Bay ; 

Well  he  knew  his  faithful  wife  was  expecting  his  return  ; 

He  knows  her  heart  toward  his  doth  with  affection  boundless 

yearn. 

Last  night  in  dreams  he  saw  her  with  their  infant  on  her  knee, 
She  was  praying  to  the  Being  who  rules  the  winds  and  sea. 
To  protect  her  absent  husband  :  that  he  might  safely  come 
To  gladden  and  make  happy,  once  more  their  humble  home. 
But  all  has  vanished  now.     Alas  !  once  more  he  must  go  back  ; 
Once  more  his  lonely  pathway  towards   the  mountains  he  must 

track. 

Long  wiU  that  wife  his  coming  wait.— He  staggers  to  the  bar, 
Vainly  he  hopes  that  poison  dark  will  drown  his  soul's  fierce  war. 
Seest  thou  into  the  future  ?  behold  a  twelvemonth  glide  : 
Behold  that  little  mound  that's  raised  upon  the  cold  hill  side  : 
Yonder  saddened  group  of  miners  are  telling  of  his  fate  ; 
How  they  knew  him  in  his  childhood  far  back  in  some  old  State  ; 
How  he  was  among  his  class-mates  looked  up  to  as  a  peer ; 
How  he  wooed  and  won  a  maiden,  intelligent  and  fair ; 
How  the  book  of  life  seemed  opening  upon  a  brilliant  page, 
And  destiny  seemed  pointing  to  a  glorious  old  age. 
But  at  length  his  feet  did  wander  to  California's  shore, 
Her  thousand  sweet  allurements  too  fiercely  o'er  him  bore  ; 
From  temptation  to  temptation  his  eager  footsteps  ran, 
Till  he  lost  the  very  semblance  of  the  noble,  gifted  man, 
And  finally,  a  loathsome  and  besotted  thing,  he  died, 
And  his  grave  they  had  been  filling  upon  the  lone  hill  side. 
Lo !  there'll  be  heart-strings  broken  when  from  hence  they  tell 
his  doom; 


MINNIE    MONTGOMERY.  53 

Hot  tears  will  flow  from  sad  eyes,  though  they  fall  not  on  his 

tomb, 

And  souls  that  used  to  meet  in  love  and  mingle  with  his  own, 
Shall  wander  o'er  the  gloomy  earth  all  desolate  alone. 


But  see !  in  yonder  window's  niche,  those  three  men  standing 

there, 

Conversing  thus,  a  contrast  strange  they  to  each  other  bear ; 
One  has  a  cheerful,  handsome  face,  a  frank  and  manly  eye, 
A  look  that  whispers  love  of  life  and  yet  that  dares  to  die ; 
His  brow  is  full  of  gentleness  and  yet  the  lip  compressed, 
Proclaims  a  kingly  soul  and  stern,  is  throbbing  in  his  breast, 
And  in  the  twinkle  of  his  eye,  the  gesture  of  his  hand, 
There^s  gracefulness  and  dignity,  -a  softness,  yet  command ; 
His  comrades  call  him  Captain  Thorn,  his  ship  lies  on  the  Bay ; 
He  is  resting  from  a,  tedious  voyage  in  dissipation  gay. 

XXII, 

A  tall  man  stands  beside  him,  with  dark  and  restless  eye  ; 
With  such  a  brow  as  genius  loves — commanding,  proud,  and  high, 
His  age  perhaps  is  thirty  years,  that  envious,  glorious  time, 
When  youth's  impetuous  currents  join  with  manhood's  tides  sub 
lime; 

His  hand  has  a  quick  gesture,  his  lip  a  scornful  curl, 
As  if  hie  dark  mind  thunderbolts  doth  love  to  forge  and  hurl ; 
And  ever  and  anon  a  smile  gleams  on  the  swarthy  face, 
So  haughty  and  sarcastic,  one  loves  not  its  course  to  trace; 
The  others  call  him  Wallace,  a  shrewd,  learned,  advocate, 
Honored  among  his  peers,  as  the  greatest  of  their  great. 


54  MINNIE    MONTGOMERY. 

XXIII. 

Beside  them  stands  another  man  :  full  fifty  years  have  spent 

Their  tempests  o'er  his  bared  brow,  but  still  he  is  unbent ; 

His  gray  eyes  beam  yet  brightly,  but  a  look  of  avarice 

Sits  on  the  plodding  features,  cold  as  a  mount  of  ice. 

In  the  Phoenix  city  of  the  West,  as  a  man  of  wealth  and  fame, 

And  a  learned  and  skilled  physician,  he  bears  an  envied  name. 

XXIV. 

Wallace  at  length  addressed  him — "Leonard,  you  seem  sore  vexed 

this  eve ; 
Pray,  is  it  for  a  patient,  or  a  bargain  lost,  you  grieve  ?  n 

xxv. 

"  Neither, "  he  answered — "  But  I  hate  that  Clay  Montgomery  ; 
He  is  my  '  evil  genius '  sure  ;  he  thwarts  me  every  way  ; 
Three  days  since,  we  in  counsel  grave,  stood  o'er  a  dying  man ; 
At  least  upon  his  breast  I  thought  I  could  Death's  talons  scan  ; 
His  pulse  had  almost  ceased  to  beat,  his  breath  came  with  a  moan, 
His  limbs  were  stiff  and  rigid,  and  cold  and  hard  as  stone  ; 
His  breath  came  short  and  shorter,  his  eyes  were  fixed  and  dim, 
A  cold  and  clammy  moisture  was  stealing  stealthily  o'er  each 

limb; 

I  would  have  sworn  he  was  dying,  and  told  his  friends  the  same, 
But  then  Montgomery,  with  a  smile  of  scorn  and  malice,  came  ; 
He  mixed  some  simple  medicine,  and  gave  the  sufferer  ®aer 
Arranged  the  pallet  'neath  him,  bowed  politely,  and  was  gone  ; 
And  now,  the  third  day  only,  the  maa  sits  in  his  chair 
Upon  his  broad  verandah,  to  catch  the  seo^cooled  air. 
Another  man  we  'tended  on ;  I  saw  him  jester  eve ; 


'     _  MINNIE  MONTGOMERY.  55 

His  symptoms  all  were  favorable ;  I  thought  that  he  would  live. 

Montgomery  shook  his  sapient  head,  and  as  he  turned  away 

I  heard  him  whisper  that  'twould  all  be  ended  by  to-day. 

I  could  see  nothing  critical,  my  utmost  skill  I  tried, 

And  now,  ere  yet  one  day  has  past,  the  unhappy  man  has  died. 

He  seems  to  gaze  far  into  the  secrets  of  men's  lives, 

So  profound  are  the  conclusions  to  which  his  mind  arrives.  " 

XXVI. 

"  And  I  hate  him,  too,  "  said  Wallace — u  he  has  outwitted  me  ;     • 

He  bought  the  self  same  real  estate  that  I  had  meant  to  buy ; 

And  Fortune  smiled  on  every  plan,  till  now  he  can  retire 

At  thirty,  with  a  wealth  to  which  I  never  did  aspire. 

"Tis  said  his  wife  has  joined  him  now — a  wondrous  creature  too, 

Accomplished,  modest,  and  more  still,  exceeding  fair  to  view ; 

A  face  as  radiant  and  calm  as  California's  sky, 

A  form  like  California's  moon,  serene,  and  proud,  and  high. 

XXVII. 

"  And,  "  added  Thorn,  "  a  brain  as  rich  as  California's  mines, 
A  soul  as  pure  as  her  cold  snows,  as  generous  as  her  winee, 
And  what  is  stranger  still  to  me,  with  all  her  loveliness, 
In  this  wild  land,  where  virtue  doth  so  frail  a  hold  possess, 
She  lias  a  heart  so  guileless  that  sin  itself  would  pale, 
Before  such  stainless  purity  'twould  venture  to  assail 

XXVIII. 

Thus  the  friends  conversed  together,  'till  a  pistol's  loud  report 
Rung  out  upon  the  crowd,  and  stopped  their  conversation  short ; 


56  MINNIE    MONTGOMERY. 

Then  followed  fearful  shoutings,  curses  fierce,  and  frantic  cries, 
And  as  the  wild  mass  separate,  behold  one  prostrate  lies  ; 
Breathing,  alas,  his  soul  away  in  that  low  gambling  den, 
The  haunt  of  fallen  women,  the  resort  of  lustful  men. 
How  terrible  the  summons !  from  that  accursed  abode 
To  go  and  meet  the  glances  of  a  sin-abhoring  God. 


CANTO   IV. 


Again  night's  dusky  mantle  veiled  the  stars  and  moonlit  heaven, 
And  seaward  like  a  flying  host,  the  murmuring  winds  were  driven  ; 
Within  Montgomery's  mansion,  a  flood  of  light  was  streaming, 
And  in  the  rare  magnificence,  a  thousand  gems  were  beaming  ; 
And  'midst  the  rich  illumined  rooms  were  gorgeous  dresses  flowing, 
And  rosy  cheeks  and  brilliant  eyes,  on  every  hand  were  glowing, 
And  music,  ravishingly  sweet,  breathed  thro'  the  ample  dwelling, 
And  out  upon  the  autumn  air,  like  a  spirit  blest  was  swelling, 
And  forms  of  witching  elegance  were  floating  here  and  there, 
Men  proud,  sedate  and  noble,  women  enrapturingly  fair  ; 
The  glory  of  that  city,  which  wonderful  to  tell, 
Sprung  at  once  as  'twere  to  being,  finished  and  beautiful, 
As  awful  Pallas  sprung  complete  from  mighty  Jove  of  old, 
As  Alladin's  gorgeous  palace  rose  by  Arab  fable  told. 

ii. 

'But  'midst  that  fair  assembled  throng,  two  forms  outshone  the  rest, 
Two  forms  of  wondrous  beauty,  and  yet  of  strange  contrast  ; 
The  one  was  Lady  Frances  Gray  —  she'd  been  invited  there, 
She  crushed  within  her  nervous  hand,  the  invitation  fair, 


58  MINNIE    MONTGOMERY. 

And  a  smile  of  dreadful  triumph  lit  up  her  haughty  eye, 
As  stern  she  muttered,  now  the  hour  for  my  revenge  draws  nigh. 
Now,  Frances  Gray,  forget  a  woman's  heart  e'er  beat  in  thec, 
Now  come,  ye  dark  and  blasting  thoughts,  come  and  commune 

with  me ; 

A  curse  be  on  that  hateful  man  who  robbed  me' of  my  peace, 
Then  carelessly  forsook  me  in  sorrow  and  distress. 
True,  I  pity  Ms  poor  wife,  but  who  thinks  to  pity  me  ? 
Though  remorse  doth  lash  my  bosom,  as  tempests  lash  the  sea ; 
Who  feels  the  never  dying  worm  that  gnaws  upon  my  heart  ? 
Who  knows  the  pangs  of  bitterness,  that  conscience's  shafts  doth 

dart  ? 

I'll  attend  this  goodly  festival,  for  by  this  time  I  trust 
I'll  find  an  opportunity  to  bow  him  down  to  dust. 

in. 

With  thoughts  of  sweeping  vengeance,  she  sought  the  festival, 
Majestic  as  a  stately  ship,  she  sailed  into  the  hall ; 
She  was  indeed,  most  beautiful,  arrayed  in  stainless  white, 
And  o^er  her  spotless  garments,  flashed  a  hundred  jewels  bright ; 
Her  cheeks  had  lost  their  crimson,   but  her  eyes  more  grandly 

dark 

Shone  o'er  her  polished  features,  e'en  as  we  often  mark, 
In  people  perishing  beneath  consumption's  withering  breath, 
They  seem  more  sweetly  beautiful,  as  they  nearer  droop  toward 

death. 

Her  hair  in  glossy  ringlets  did  o'er  her  shoulders  flow, 
In  contrast  strange  and  lovely  with  her  neck  and  robes  of  snow, 
As  when  deep  winters  robes  of  white  are  folded  on  some  hill, 
The  dark  and  shadowy  evergreens  wave  o'er  it  gorgeous  stilL 


MINNIE  MONTGOMERY.  59 

IV. 

On  the  other  hand  was  Minnie,  in  sable  velvet  dressed, 
Upon  her  face  a  sacred  look  of  sorrow  still  did  rest ; 
Though  she  had  fulfilled  her  promise  to  wear  her  jewelry, 
'Twas  only  ever  and  anon,  a  diamond  met  the  eye, 
For  she'd  concealed  them  artfully  beneath  her  habit  dark, 
And  from  its  hiding  place,  a  gem  only  at  times  would  lurk. 
But  there  was  yet  the  high,  pale  brow,  the  eye  of  azure  blue, 
The  smile  of  angel  tenderness  one  loves  so  well  to  view  ; 
That  smile  of  earnest  nature,  not  the  studied  one  of  art, 
It  tells  that  streams  of  innocence  flow  ever  through  the  heart ; 
That  look  of  modest  dignity  and  gentleness  combined, 
Which  has  to  man's  eye  such  a  fascination  round  it  'twined  ; 
That  charm  so  irresistible,  which  women  sometimes  wear, 
Till,  as  we  captivated  gaze,  real  angels  they  appear. 


Thus  stood  Lady  Gray  and  Minnie,  they  had  never  met  before, 
And  through  Frances'  heart  for  envy,  did  the  hot  blood  rush  and 

pour; 

As  Minnie's  matchless  charms  she  viewed,  she  to  herself  confessed 
Her  loveliness,  though  at  the  thought  a  pang  convulsed  her  breast. 

VI. 

On  the  other  band  was  Minnie,  when  she  saw  the  Lady  Gray, 
The  beaming  of  her  lustrous  eyes,  her  ringlets  in  their  play, 
Her  sweeping  robes  and  graceful  form,  as  calm  and  still  she  stood, 
Like  a  white  swan  by  the  ocean's  brink,  like  a  Driad  of  the  wood; 
Yielded  joyful  admiration,  and  hastening  to  Clay, 
She  asked  him  if  from  fairy  land  he  brought  his  guests  that  day  ; 
Pointing  smilingly  toward  Frances,  as  she  stood  full  in  the  light, 


60  MINNIE  MONTGOMERY. 

In  her  sweeping  robes  and  ringlets,  in  her  proud  majestic  height, 
With  every  feature  heightened  to  its  fullest,  sweetest  charm, 
Like  a  wondrous  piece  of  statue,  from  the  sculptor's  chisel  warm. 


Oh !  could  she  in  her  innocence  have  known  that  creature's  heart, 
Have  noticed  on  that  plastic  face  the  hollow  smile  of  art, 
Could  she  have  known  the  hidden  things  her  erring  husband  knew, 
She  might  have  marked  the  anxious  look  that  o'er  his  features 

flew; 

She  might  not  thus  have  smiled  on  him  in  happiness  and  pride, 
She  might  have  marked  his  hurried  words,   as  quick  he  left  her 

side  ; 

But  her  own  heart  was  so  innocent,  so  destitute  of  guile, 
She  doubted  not  but  others  were  pure  as  hers  the  while. 


The  eve  wore  on;  in  little  groups  clustered  the  gorgeous  band, 
And  tired  with  feast  and  dancing,  the  scene  grew  coldly  grand ; 
'Till  one  more  thoughtful  than  the  rest  proposed  a  song  be  sung, 
And  then,  "a  song,  a  merry  song,"  from  every  quarter  rung, 
One  and  another  volunteered,  at  length  the  Lady  Gray 
Was  asked  to  please  her  many  friends,  some  favorite  air  to  play. 


She  smiled  a  sweet  but  haughty  smile,  and  rising  like  a  queen, 

Her  dark  eyes  had  a  brilliancy,  unearthly  in  their  sheen  ; 

As  she  strode  to  the  piano  and  smote  its  startled  keys, 

As  tempests  strike  a  sleeping  ship  on  the  tropic's  burning  seas, 

She  struck  a  high,  wild  prolude,  and  as  it  died  away, 

Her  voice  took  up  the  prelude  in  a  melancholy  lay. 


MINNIE    MONTGOMERY.  61 

SONG. 

What  is  life  ?  What  is  life  ?  'Tis  a  cup  full  of  sorrow, 
A  sea  o'er  which  storms  forever  are  sweeping ; 

'Tis  a  dark  starless  night,  <*nd  how  fearless  its  morrow, 
It  begins  and  advances,  and  closes  in  weeping. 

Some  moisten  with  tears  their  path  to  the  tomb, 

And  some  with  the  laugh  mock  the  pangs  of  the  soul, 

For  where  is  the  heart  o'er  which  billows  of  gloom 
Do  not,  like  the  ocean,  eternally  roll? 

x. 

The  wild  notes  died  away  at  length,  the  songster's  sweeping  eye, 
Which  gleamed  so  brightly  while  she  sung,  went  'neath  its  lid  to 

lie; 

And  her  fair  cheek  which  blossomed  full  of  roses  while  she  sung, 
Resumed  the  cold  and  pallid  look  that  first  had  round  it  hung  ; 
With  a  bow'd  head  and  pensive  look,  she  left  the  instrument, 
As  if  some  hidden,  crushing  woe,  her  secret  bosom  rent ; 
All  eyes  were  fixed  intent  on  her,  that  song  so  strange  and  sad, 
Some  wondered  if  so  fair  a  form,  a  sorrow  ever  had  ; 
As  the  deep  grandeur  of  that  voice  still  rung  upon  the  ear, 
Like  some  gloomy  wind  at  midnight,  so  high,  so  wild,  so  drear. 

XI. 

A  long  deep  silence  followed,  till  at  length  Montgomery 
Approached  his  wife,  who  still  and  fair  reclined  on  a  settee, 
And  holding  forth  his  hand,  he  said,  "Come,  sing  our  friends  one 

song," 

And  quick  the  wish  was  seconded,  the  stately  group  among ; 
And  then  a  breathless  silence  fell  upon  the  expecting  band, 


62  MINNIE  MONTGOMERY. 

So  hushed  it  seemed,  their  very  hearts  a  moment  were  at  stand ; 

No  wonder,  for  so  fair  a  sight,  they  ne'er  before  beheld^ 

As  o'er  her  gcorgeous  harp  she  bent,  her  cheeks  with  roses  filled, 

Her  eyes  were  blue  and  sparkling,  like  the  agitated  sea, 

But  from  their  azure  depths,  there  shone  a  pure  serenity, 

And  smiles  of  winning  sweetness,  o'er  her  polished  features  crept, 

As  her  small  hand  the  quivering  strings  in  hesitation  swept, 


A  stream  of  gushing  melody,  flowed  from  beneath  her  hand; 
Again  the  fingers  smote  the  harp,  and  strains  more  high  and 

grand 

Burst  from  the  trembling  instrument,  till  every  heart  stood  still, 
While  the  echoes  of  that  solemn  harp,  did  through  the  mansion 

thrill ; 

Then  with  a  firmer,  swifter  hand,  she  smote  the  sounding  lyre, 
Until  every  ear  was  ravished,  and  every  heart  on  fire, 
As  awoke  those  fragile  fingers,  the  loud  triumphant  strain, 
Deep  from  the  mansion's  furthest  depths,  the  echoes  came  again. 
Then  as  some  golden  plumaged  bird,  which  starts   the  traveller's 

ear 

With  strains  of  gushing  melody,  then  flies  away  afar, 
Warbling  into  distance,  till  the  sweet  notes  die  away, 
So  in  a  bird-like  carol,  softly  ceased  the  notes  to  play  ; 
Her  sweet  lips  slowly  opened,  and  low  in  a  thrilling  ode, 
Her  voice  eclipsed  the  melodies  that  from  her  harp  had  flowed. 


SONG. 

What  is  life  ?  What  is  life?  'Tis  a  present  from  heaven. 
That  mortals  may  gaze  on  this  beautiful  world, 


MINXIE    MONTGOMERY.  63 

It  is  to  the  soul  a  resting  place  given, 

Ere  the  scenes  of  Eternity  their  splendors  unfold. 

'Tis  sin  makes  us  sad,  for  the  heart  that  is  pure 

Has  smiles  ever  mingled  with  gloom, 
For  One  that  is  able,  has  promised  us  sure, 

That  for  such  there's  rejoicing  beyond  the  cold  tomb. 

XIII. 

A  clamor  of  delight  went  up,  as  ceased  the  gentle  lay, 
And  soon  the  friends  departed,  for  e'en  then  the  breaking  day 
Was  reddening  in  the  "  Golden  Gate,"  announcing  that  the  night, 
With  all  her  sable  votaries  had  plumed  her  wings  for  flight ; 
All  felt  that  Clay  was  more  than  blessed  in  an  accomplished  wife. 
And  most,    the  sorrowing  Frances  Gray  ;  she  felt  the  springs  ot 

life 

Were  dried  within  her  aching  heart,  for  torn  with  wounded  pride, 
She  turned  to  seek  for  comfort,  in  vain  on  every  side, 
For  Clay  had  been  the  only  man  she  ever  loved  sincere, 
And  she  could  not  bear  to  see  his  life,  with  every  joy  made  dear. 

XIV. 

To  see  desire  so  gratified,  so  much  of  happiness, 

While  she  was  left  unheeded,  with  no  smile,  with  no  caress; 

A  flood  of  withering  bitterness  went  flowing  through  her  heart, 

And  she  saw  no  ending  of  her  grief,  no  way  she  might  depart, 

Except  'twas  in  her  drooping  form,  and  sunken  faded  cheek, 

Which  told  in  their  white  outlines,  what  volumes  might  not  speak  ; 

The  husky  voice,  the  hacking  cough,  which  rung  at  every  breath, 

Its  warning  in  her  bosom  like  an  alarm  bell  of  death; 

All  seemed  to  whisper  that  ere  long  her  troubles  would  be  o'er, 

If  happy  after  death,  her  soul  could  find  a  Lethean  shore. 


64  MINNIE    MONTGOMERY. 

XV. 

Once  I  watched  a  patient  sufferer,  I  marked  him  day  by  day, 
As  'neath  consumption's  icy  breath,  he  withered  slow  away, 
And  as  the  last  dread  moments  neared,  his  eye  did  brilliant  gleam, 
And  a  look  of  bright  intelligence,  did  on  each  feature  beam. 
Oh !  'tis  hard  to  see  a  form  we  love,  thus  waste  into  the  grave, 
>Tis  hard  to  feel  that  hope  is  o'er,  that  nought  on  earth  can  save ; 
While  the  loved  sufferer  droops  so  slow,  and  so  unconsciously, 
That  earth  makes  glad  the  dying  voice,  and  bright  the  dying  eye; 
Oh !  it  needs  a  mighty  confidence,  in  such  an  hour,  in  heaven, 
When  the  affections  are  so  blighted,  the  heart  so  torn  and  riven. 


CANTO   V. 


Let  night  again  o'ermantle  this  fallen,  sinful  earth, 

The  night  when  wander  beasts  of  prey,  when  dark  thoughts  have 

their  birth ; 

The  time  the  libertine  doth  choose  to  weave  his  hellish  net ; 
The  hour  the  wanton  walks  abroad,  her  victims  to  beset. 

ii. 

Once  more  beside  each  other  sit  Montgomery  and  his  wife, 
In  loving  words  conversing,  the  sweetest,  best  in  life  ; 
They  talked  of  the  festival—"  'twas  a  grand  affair  "—said  Clay  ; 
We  had  the  elite  of  the  town,  the  rich,  the  proud,  the  gay : 
"  But  you,  my  wondrous  Minnie,  you  seemed  so  much  above 
Those  creatures  that  around  you,  did  in  silks  and  jewels  move  ! 
And  then  your  song,  so  beautiful,  the  high  exalted  strain, 
It  warbled  to  the  mansion's  depths,  and  echoed  back  again  ; 
Since  the  night  that  we  were  wedded  I  never  in  my  life 
Was  so  pleased  with  and  so  proud  of  my  quiet,  modest  wife.  " 

in. 
"  Oh  Clay  !  "  rejoined  the  gentle  wife — "  pray  hush  that  flattering 

strain, 
Or  you  will  make  your  homely  wife  grow  arrogant  and  vain, 


66  MINNIE    MONTGOMERY. 

Such  speech  perhaps  did  well  enough,  when  we  were  girl  and  boy, 
When  we  first  dreamed  of  earnest  love,  its  novelty  and  joy. 
But,  speaking  of  the  festival,  I  wish  intrinsic  worth 
Stood  at  a  better  premium  on  this  poor  planet  earth  ; 
There's  too  much  of  the  butterfly,  and  not  enough  of  brain, 
Too  much  of  silk  and  broadcloth,  bracelet  and  diamond  chain  ; 
Too  little  of  the  honest  heart,  where  affection's  fountains  keep 
For  ever  bubbling  softly  up,  like  a  cool  spring,  pure  and  deep  : 
But  then  I  think  the  festival  indeed  a  brilliant  scene, 
Fairer  women  or  more  noble  men  seldom  meet  I  ween, 
And  all  passed  by  so  pleasantly,  the  feast,  the  dance,  the  song  ; 
All  seemed  quite  glad  and  satisfied  though  numerous  the  throng. 
But,  Clay  !  ye  moved  among  those  men,  as  midst  his  serfs,  a  King, 
Or  as  the  eagle  midst  the  larks,  with  prouder,  stronger  wing. 
After  all  it  is  not  wealth  or  show  that  sways  the  human  kind  ; 
Men  humbly  bow  to  but  one  thing :  that  is  a  master  mind, 
And  when  those  dark  eyes  swept  the  room  I  saw  the  proudest 

quail, 

As  if  far  in  the  secret  soul  their  lustre  did  prevail ; 
I  felt  my  whole  soul  swelling,  in  just  pride  and  happiness, 
To  see  those  noble  gentlemen  your  true  worth  thus  confess.  " 

IV. 

"Ah!  who  is  flattering  now  ?"  said  Clay — "my  calm  and  quiet 

bride, 

Pray,  what  could  turn  your  steady  mind  in  such  a  strain  aside  ?  " 
But  here  a  servant  entered,  and  the  conversation  stayed, 
And  the  noble  pair  were  silent,  while  the  man  a  note  displayed  ; 
Clay  read  the  fair  note  hastily,  then  said  :  "The  Lady  Gray 
Wishes  to  consult  me,  for  her  husband  is  away, 


MINNIE  MONTGOMERY.  6*7 

And  she  says  her  little  homestead  comes  'neath  a  landlord's  claim  ' 
Land  titles  are  so  doubtful  here,  men's  hearts  so  void  of  shame.  " 
His  wife  replied :  "My  husband  dear,  who  is  this  Lady  Gray, 
That  comes  to  ask  advice  of  you  ? — you're  not  a  lawyer,  Clay  ! 

v. 

He  answered  :  "  'Tis  the  lady,  whose  silk  and  gold  attire 
Did  your  admiration  last  eve  so  wondrously  inspire  ; 
The  lady  of  the  raven  eyes,  pale  brow,  and  glossy  hair, 
The  one  that,  next  to  you  Minnie,  was  of  the  throng  most  fair  ; 
The  one  that  sang  that  strange  sad  song,  so  beautiful  yet  drear, 
While  it  thrilled  our  waiting  senses,  it  wrapt  each  heart  with  fear: 
Her  husband  was  my  friend,  and  being  absent  now  from  home, 
I  suppose  she  thought,  for  counsel,  of  no  better  place  to  come. 

VI, 

U0h!  go,  of  course,"  said  Minnie,  "but,  Clay,  hasten  quickly 

home, 

For  I  shall  count  the  moments  as  all  weary  while  you  roam ; 
Now,  husband,  I  will  wager  you,  before  you  can  return, 
To  play  this  thrilling  melody  upon  the  harp  I'll  learn. 
And  if  I  win  the  wager  Clay,  what  Avill  you  forfeit  me  ?  " 
UA  kiss,"  he  answered— "  and  if  not,  the  kiss  I'll  claim  from 

thee.  " 

VII, 

It  was  not  without  misgiving  Clay  left  his  angel  wife, 

And  turned  his  footsteps  toward  that  place  with  memories  so  rife  ; 

He  had  not  crossed  the  threshold  since  that  night  of  high  resolve, 

When  he  determined  all  his  ties  of  guilt  he  would  dissolve  ; 

He  entered  through  the  well  known  gate,  and  up  the  winding  path, 

Fragrant  flowers  around  him  breathed  a  sweet  familiar  breath  ; 

With  hesitating  step  he  treads  upon  the  old  door  stone, 


68  MINNIE  MONTGOMERY. 

And  he  felt  a  sorrow  in  his  heart  almost  that  he  had  come  ; 

He  struck  the  door-bell,  but  he  wished  the  sound  he  might  recall, 

As  he  heard  a  well  known  footstep,  along  the  passage  fall ; 

And  when  the  front  door  opened,  and  a  soft  voice  bade  "  Come 

in," 

As  he  noticed  by  the  moonlight  that  form  grown  frail  and  thin, 
He  felt  a  bitter  sadness  come  upon  him  at  the  thought, 
That  by   his  own  imprudence    had  this   change  perhaps  been 

wrought ; 

But  as  again  her  lily  hand  sought  tremblingly  his  own-, 
Her  eye  dilated  and  her  voice  resumed  its  wonted  tone, 
And  her  own  sweet  smile  of  splendor  again  swept  o'er  her  face 
Till  every  cloud  of  sorrow  its  effulgence  thence  did  chase* 

VIII. 

She  spoke  :  "  Kind  friend,  Montgomery,  it  grieved  me  much  to  ask. 
You  thus  to  leave  your  happy  home  to  do  for  me  a  task ; 
Knowing  you  are  so  done  up  in  the  love  of  your  sweet  wife, 
That  every  moment  you  are  gone  seems  a  moment  lost  of  life. 
But  I  trust  I've  not  a  hard  task,  I  wished  for  you  to  read 
These  papers  and  then  give  me  such  counsel  as  I  need. 
First,  to  clear  your  apprehension,  take  a  glass  of  wine — 'tis  weak — 
Full  many  of  my  friends  of  its  generous  flavor  speak.  " 

IX. 

Clay  tossed  the  sparkling  beverage  off,  "  'Tis  excellent,  "  said  he, 

"  It  thrills  the  life  as  beauty  rare  doth  captivate  the  eye.  " 

"  'Tis  very  harmless  too,  "  said  she,  "  'twas  sent  me  by  a  friend, 

Who  lives  where  broad  Ohio  doth  meanderingly  wend ; 

Near  to  old  Cincinnati,  the  city  of  my  birth, 

The  sweetest,  dearest  city,  on  this  dark,  gloomy  earth  ; 


MINNIE    MONTGOMERY.  69 

You'll  drink  one  glass  with  me,  I'm  sure" — "Most  certainly," 

said  Clay, 

"  If  from  that  radiant  brow  of  thine  'twill  drive  the  clouds  away.  " 
They  touched  their  brimming  glasses  and  the  sparkling  beverage 

drank, 
When  Clay  resumed :  "  Say — tell  me,  are  you  not  happy,  Frank  ?  " 

x. 

"  I  cannot  say  I  am, "  said  she,  "  'tis  very  hard  to  love 
And  feel  no  answering  chord  in  the  worshipped  one  we  move. 
In  my  heart  a  sea  of  passion  doth  ever  surge  and  flow, 
A  vast  love  unrequited,  but  that  is  nothing  now ; 
While  you  read  those  papers,  I'll  go  hence  " — but  he  motioned 

her  to  wait ; 
So  she  paced  her  splendid  parlor,  with  step  proud  and  sedate. 

•  xi. 

Clay  took  the  papers  nervously  and  glanced  down  the  page, 
Meanwhile  the  poisoned  wine  in  his  veins  began  to  rage ; 
Its  thrilling,  generous  flavor  still  nestled  on  his  lip, 
And  he  stopped  instinctively  his  task,  another  glass  to  sip ; 
Then,  as  to  himself  he  murmured,  "that  wine  is  to  the  taste 
As  to  the  eye  a  garden  fair,  blooming  in  some  vast  waste, 
Or  as  to  the  ear,  in  lone  hours,  is  music's  sweetest  tone  ; 
It  makes  my  intellect  grow  bright,  and  round  me  lights  are  borne  ; 
Visions  of  boundless  splendor,  they're  swarming  in  my  brain : 
Sublime  as  rolling  thunders,  fair  as  heaven's  starry  plain." 
But  Frank  is  sad,  and  yet  for  all  she's  beautiful  as  even, 
When  the  sun,  a  world  of  fire,  sinks  low  in  western  Heaven, 
Shining  in  crimson  glory  o'er  the  blue  and  heaving  deep, 
Rolling  swiftly  its  burning  beams,  in  a  refulgent  sweep, 
Along  the  billowy  ocean,  in  waves  of  glory  by, 


70  MINNIE   MONTGOMERY. 

In  floods  of  splendor  lighting  up  bay,  city,  hill,  and  sky ; 
"Frances,  "  he  added,  "tell  me  now,  why  is  thy  brow  so  sad?" 
She  answered  mildly,  "  Clay,  of  late,  no  company  I've  had, 
And  having  none  to  talk  to,  it  may  be  I've  grown  reserved, 
But  any  tinge  of  sadness,  you  have  the  first  observed. 

XII. 

Clay  then  resumed :  "  To  be  alone  brings  not  this  mighty  change  ; 
Why  doth  your  voice,  so  sweet  before,  sound  now  so  har/§h  and 

strange  ? 

Where  is  the  bloom  that  used  to  rival  crimson  on  thy  cheek  ? 
Where  is  the  smile  that  in  your  eye  could  such  a  volume  speak  ?  " 

XIII. 

"  My  poor  voice,  sweet ! "  said  Frances  Gray,  "  'twas  but  thine 

echoed  back ; 

Your  kisses  made  the  roses  all  that  crimsoned  on  my  cheek, 
My  sunny  smiles  were  but  thine  own  reflected  from  my  face, 
A  glass  o'er  which  such  images  no  more  their  pathway  trace.  " 

XIV. 

But,  alas!  let's  draw  a  veil  around  the  sin-misguided  pair, 

Alas !  that  sin  should  ever  dwell  in  tenements  so  fair. 

At  midnight  from  that  wanton  haunt,  Clay,  bent  and  reeling 

strode  ; 

With  haggard  look  and  halting  step  he  wandered  down  the  road ; 
Frances  watched  the  lessening  figure,  and  wished  him  pleasant 

dreams, 
While  her  shrill  laugh  of  mockery  seemed  like  a  maniac's  screams. 

xv. 

But  let  us  once  again  return  to  Clay's  enchanting  bride  : 
When  Clay,  by  Frances  summoned,  had  left  lingeringly  her  side, 


MINNIE    MONTGOMERY.  71 

She  approached  the  open  casement  to  breathe  the  evening  air  ; 
To  gaze  upon  the  slumbering  earth  and  sky  all  burnished  fair ; 
The  window  o'erlooked  the  Bay,  and  the  moon's  rays  sweetly 

beamed 

Upon  the  deep  hush'd  waters,  and  o'er  the  shipping  streamed, 
While  still  and  beautiful  the  stars  their  myriad  hosts  displayed 
Like  God's  bright  shining  armies  on  Heaven's  vast  plain  arrayed  ; 
Wrapt  with  the  glowing  spectacle  she  fondly  watched  the  scene  ; 
Bay,  city,  shipping,  coast  and  hill,  bathed  in  the  wondrous  sheen, 
And  finally  she  murmured,  though  none  were  nigh  to  hear, 
How  fair  the  scene,  how  beautiful  this  climate,  half  the  year> 
Without  one  cloud  to  hide  from  view  the  radiant  azure  sky, 
To  cross  the  pathway  of  the  sun,  or  moon,  or  stars,  on  high ; 
Without  a  single  shadow's  form  their  bright  beams  to  deface, 
As  they  sweep  in  endless  cycles  along  the  fields  of  space. 
And  then  my  own  great  change,  so  poor  one  year  ago, 
And  now  an  object  unto  which  the  loftiest  forms  do  bow. 

XVI. 

But  hush  such  wicked  thoughts,  'twas  not  my  skill  that  brought 
This  happy  change  about,  'twas  my  husband's  hand  that  wrought , 
And  heaven's  approving  smile  beamed  on  his  every  plan, 
Heaven  that  will  ever  recompense  an  honest  striving  man  ; 
I  trust  I  am  not  vain  or  proud,  save  of  the  love  of  him, 
.My  peerless  husband,  for  whose  love  my  heart  doth  ever  brim 
In  joy  and  thankfulness  to  God  who  gave  me  such  an  one, 
For  companion  and  protector,  while  life  shall  journey  on  ; 
And  while  I  have  that  love,  come  to  me  sickness  and  distress, 
Come  all  the  dark  and  bitter  things  that  common  lives  oppress ; 
Come  slander  with  thy  poisoned  tongue,  come  poverty  and  toil. 
Come  all  that's  dreadful  to  be  feared,  and  with  a  serpent  coil, 


72  MINNIE    MONTGOMERY. 

Wrap  every  other  pleasure  up,  I'm  rich,  proud,  happy,  still, 
While  I  feel  my  image  in  his  breast,  its  rightful  place  doth  fill. 

XVII. 

But  here  a  low  knock  at  the  door  broke  up  the  reverie, 

And  she  turned  from  the  gorgeous  scene,  slowly  and  languidly, 

And  opening  the  heavy  door  a  proud  tall  form  came  in  ; 

She  placed  a  seat  before  him  and  bade  him  there  recline. 

As  fell  the  light  upon  his  face,  "  why  Wallace,"  she  exclaimed, 

"  I  did  not  know  your  face  at  first,  so  seldom  you  have  deigned 

To  call  upon  us  since  we  lived  so  lone  and  quiet  here ; 

My  husband  will  be  home  anon,  he  is  not  absent  far, 

He  will  be  glad  to  welcome  you." 

The  artful  man  replied  : 

I  grew  so  weary  of  my  books  this  eve,  I  turned  aside  ; 
With  all  its  sombre  dingy  scenes,  I  left  my  dreary  room, 
Half  envious  of  married  men,  half  grumbling  at  the  doom 
Of  a  cross,  useless  bachelor,  round  whom  no  young  hopes  shine, 
A  trunk  so  blighted  and  deformed,  no  ivy  will  entwine ; 
And  wrapt  up  in  such  feelings,  I  thought  of  you  and  Clay, 
And  determined  that  an  hour  or  two  at  least  I'd  while  away  ; 
So  anxious  in  society's  soft  beams  once  more  to  bask, 
How  much  it  might  afflict  you,  I  did  not  stop  to  ask." 


"  You  would  better  please  us  if  you  would  oftener  afflict  us  so," 
Replied  the  lovely  Minnie,  while  her  cheeks  with  friendship's  glow 
Grew  light,  and  o'er  her  radiant  face  there  swept  the  sunny  smile  ; 
"My  husband  will  be  home  ere  long,  and  I  must  beg  meanwhile 
You  will  patient  wait  his  coming,  he'll  rejoice  to  meet  you  here, 
He  often  calls  your  name,  as  one  by  friendship's  ties  bound  near.' 


MINNIE    MONTGOMERY.  73 

XIX. 

The  cunning  man  replied  : 

I  trust  he  is  my  friend  indeed, 

Although  I  am  half  jealous  that  Montgomery  should  succeed 
In  wedding  so  much  loveliness,  while  I  must  wander  on, 
Thus  o'er  the  cold  and  gloomy  world,  unmated,  and  alone." 
Then  he  added  quickly,  "  Lady,  how  do  you  like  this  land  ? 
Your  dwelling  seems  a  fairy  haunt,  all  palace-like  and  grand." 

xx. 

"It  is,"  said  she,  "  my  husbands  wish  that  we  should  thus  reside. 
And  to  gratify  his  wishes,  I  make  my  joy  and  pride ; 
I  little  dreamed  that  I  should  e'er,  to  such  luxuriance  come, 
I  should  have  been  quite  satisfied  with  a  much  plainer  home." 
She  continued — "I  am  contented  almost  always  now, 
With  sweetest  happiness,  my  cup  of  life  would  overflow, 
Were  it  not  for  thoughts  of  loving  friends  I  left  far  behind, 
(Around  whose  souls  my  heart  strings  are  indissolubly     'twined,) 
And  pangs  of  anguish  which  assail  at  times,  my  heart  so  wild, 
So  bitter  'twas  to  separate  from  my  unequaled  child." 

XXI. 

"Had  you  a  child?"  asked  Wallace. 

"A  precious  boy!"  said  she. 
"  And  he  is  dead  ?  "  he  added. 

"  Aye,  yes !  'neath  the  gloomy  sea, 

With  ocean's  other  jewels  his  bones  are  whitening  now, 
Fierce  billows  roll  upon  his  breast,  and  sea  weeds 'twine  his  brow." 

XXII. 

"What!  died  he  on  the  ocean?  " 

"Ah,  yes!   amidst  the  moan 
Of  crashing  waves,  as  through  them,  the  great  ship  thundered  on; 


74  MINNIE    MONTGOMERY. 

'Midst  the  sound  of  creaking  timbers,  the  hoarse  and  heavy  roar 
Of  enginery  beneath  us,  and  winds  that  o'er  us  bore." 

XXIII. 

"  Tis  very  sad,"  said  Wallace  ;  "  but  those  shafts  of  Providence, 
But  to  pour  a  mercy  in  give  our  hearts  such  ghastly  rents." 

XXIV. 

"I  try  to  think  so,"  she  replied  ;   "but,  oh  !  it  seemed  so  drear, 
Those  cherub  eyes,  so  dim  in  death,  those  hands  to  grasp  the  air, 
Those  little  limbs  to  writhe  in  the  strong  grasp  of  agony, 
Those  looks  of  speechless  suffering  he  beseechingly  gave  me  ; 
And  when  in  one  wild  sob,  went  forth  his  little  soul, 
Almost  a  wave  of  doubt,  o'er  my  faith  in  God  did  roll." 

xxv. 

"Lady,"  he  answered;  "'tis  the  debt,  the  common  debt,  we  owe, 
And  Xature  will  demand  it  despite  our  pain  and  woe  ; 
'Twill  take  perhaps,  eternity,  to  prove  for  what  wise  end 
This  sorrow  was  bestowed  on  thee,  that  doth  your  heart  so  rend." 
Then  for  a  long  hour  or  more,  the  subtle  man  talked  on, 
From  fountains  of  a  gifted  mind  his  sweet  words  smoothly  ran ; 
He  talked  of  all  the  gorgeous  themes  that  thrill  a  female's  heart, 
Besieging  that  fair  fortress,  with  most  consummate  art ; 
Honor,  devotion,  courage,  love,  intense  absorbing  themes, 
His  words  gushed  forth  spontaneous,  in  living,  rushing  streams. 
At  length  he  changed  the  subject: 

"  Dear  lady,  dost  thou  know, 
Of  all  the  praises  men  do  here  upon  thy  charms  bestow?" 

XXVI. 

"  Of  all  the  praises  men  bestow  ?  "  she  answered  in  surprise, 
i4  Why  men  should  speak  of  me  at  all,  I  can  not  realize." 


MINNIE    MONTGOMERY.  75 

XXVII. 

"  Nay,  speak  not  so,"  said  Wallace  ;    "  your  praise   clogs   every 

tongue, 
The  story  of  your  loveliness  on  every  ear  is  rung." 

XXVIII. 

"  Oh!  hush  such  words,"  said  Minnie,    "they  give  me  grief  and 

pain, 
I  was  the  plainest  maiden,  in  the  town  from  whence  I  came." 

XXIX. 

"Ah!  say  not  so,"  said  Wallace,  "you  are  a  peerless  star, 

In  brilliancy,  the  rarest  in  the  firmanent  by  far  ; 

At  sight  of  you  my  early  youth  conies  back  to  memory, 

I  dream  of  lore,  as  when  long  since,  love  thrilled  my  boyhood's 

eye; 

And  listen,  lady,  in  this  land,  a  creature  fair  as  you, 
Ought  to  deem  a  lover's  claims  as  well  as  husbands's  due. 

XXX. 

Wild  lightnings  shot  from  Minnie's  eyes  in  burning  shafts  away, 

A  fury  in  her  bosom  that  moment  held  its  sway. 

She  shouted :  "  Stop  those  hateful  words,  and  when  again  you 

speak 

Thus  like  unto  a  female,  unprotected,  lone ,  and  weak, 
May  your  foul  throat  be  tortured  by  a  quenchless,  horrid  thirst, 
And  in  your  venomed  mouth,  your  tongue  with  its  pollutions  burst. 
Where  are  those  cherished  principles,  you  just  now  boasted  of? 
That  path  of  honor  within  which  your  life  so  strict  did  move  ? 
Where  did  you  learn  those  studied  words  you  just  now  spoke  to 

me? 
I'd  wager,  it  was  in  some  haunt  of  wild  debauchery, 


76  MINNIE  MONTGOMERY. 

I'd  wager  that  you  spoke  them  last  in  some  wanton's  den  of  woe, 
To  some  lost  one  from  'yond  the  sea,  or  filthy  Mexico." 

XXXI. 

A  smile  of  mockery  swept  o'er  the  face  of  Wallace,  calm ; 
"  Indeed,"  said  he,  "  so  tiger  like,  and  just  now  but  a  lamb  ; 
I  never  dreamed  those  lustrous  eyes  that  just  now  beamed   so 

sweet, 

Could  kindle  up,  in  passion  burn  with  such  a  fearful  heat ; 
Be  not  too  rash  dear  lady,  were  I  to  talk  to  you  more  plain, 
Perhaps  that  mighty  tempest  might  dissolve  in  bitter  rain." 

xxxn. 
u  What  mean  you  now  ?"  said  Minnie,  u  What  plot   would  you 

conceal, 
Go  on  sir,  never  fear  the  bitterest  to  reveal." 

XXXIII. 

Then  he  softened  down  his  voice  to  its  most  winning  strain, 

"  I  never  wished,"  he  said,  "  to  give  your  glorious  heart  a  pain  ; 

But  that  fond  heart  of  thine,  so  trusting,  loyal,  true, 

So  terribly  abused  by  him  who  swore  to  cherish  you 

In  sickness,  and  in  health,  to  love  till  life  was  o'er, 

Pray  listen,  and  believe  me,  he  has  a  paramour.'" 

xxxiv. 

Oh  !  dreadful  was  the  anger  that  gathered  on  her  brow, 
The  roses  fled  her  crimson  checks,  and  left  them  white  as  snow  ; 
Her   close  pressed  lips  were  bloodless,    in  sobs  her  breath  came 

forth, 
She  seemed  to   struggle  to  express  the  thoughts   her  heart  gave 

birth ; 


MINNIE    MONTGOMERY.  77 

Her  hand  extended  o'er  her  head,  clutched  savagely  the  air, 
Her  bosom  heaved  tumultuously,  her  eyes  so  calm  and  fair, 
Gleamed  then  as  doth  the  panther's,  ere  he  springs  upon  his  prey, 
Like  the  condor  of  the  Andes,  when  a  lamb  he  cloth  survey, 
And  she  hissed  upon  his  startled  ear,   "  a  curse  be  on  your  head, 
Base  and  despised  wretch  that  thou  art,  who  would  thy  foul  snares 

spread, 

To  kindle  in  confiding  hearts,  hate,  jealousy  and  wrathy 
To  turn  love-guided  feet  aside  to  a  thorn  enwoven  path. 
E'en  were  he  guilty,  as  you  say,  think  you  I  would  give  up 
His  glorious  image  in  my  soul,  and  to  thy  level  stoop?1' 
Then  opening  the  massy  door,  she  ordered  him  away, 
In  tone  so  fierce  and  dignified,  he  dared  not  disobey, 
For  those  azure  eyes  shone  terrible  in  their  ferocity, 
Like  the  lightning  on  the  night,  like  the  typhoon  on  the  sea. 

xxxv. 

The  guilty  man  felt  all  his  wit  and  trickery  was  vain, 
Before  so  pure  a  being;  his  dark  plans  were  broke  in  twain. 
Sullen,  enraged,  and  mortified,  he  left  the  fair  abode 
With  a  muttered  oath  of  vengeance,  he  from  the  parlor  strode. 
"  Vengeance !"  said  Minnie,  scornfully,  u  if  you've  one  little  spark 
Of  conscience  yet  remaining  in  that  bosom,  cold  and  dark, 
Better  say,  "  I'll  be  avenged  if  memory  e'er  portray 
In  colors  half  like  life  the  part  ye  strove  to  act  to-day." 

xxxvi. 

With  beating  heart  she  closed  the  door,  and  sunk  on  a  settee, 
And  with  her  rushing  thoughts  for  a  time  kept  company, 
And  the  scenes  of  the  past  hours  so  improbable  did  seem, 
She  thought  she  was  asleep,  and  prayed  to  waken  from  the  dream  ; 


78  MINNIE    MONTGOMERY. 

But  the  harsh  word,  so  horrid  sad,  still  rung  upon  her  brain, 
And  her  bright  faculties  almost  seemed  at  the  thought  to  wane  ; 
For  she  for  a  long  hour  reclined,  as  motionless  and  still, 
As  a  fixed  rock  of  ages  fast  enthroned  upon  some  hill. 

XXXVII. 

A  soft  knock  broke  the  heavy  spell  that  locked  her  half  stunned 

mind, 

And  opening  the  folding  door,  gazed  wonderingly,  to  find 
Her  own  domestic  standing  there,  and  panting  in  distress, 
As  if  some  mighty  toil  upon  his  manly  heart  did  press  ; 
This  servant  was  a  youth,  deformed  in  body  and  in  mind, 
A  mingling  strange,  of  sternness  and  tenderness  combined ; 
His  face  was  ever  pale  and  sad,  but  in  the  deep  gray  eye 
There  was  a  depth  and  earnestness,  which  told  a  soul  did  lie 
In  that  bent,  crippled  body,  that  could  illy  brook  to  stay 
Bowed  down  in  such  a  blighted  and  helpless  frame  of  clay. 
He  entered  silently  the  room,  sunk  on  a  waiting  seat, 
Then  turned  a  fixed  and  softened  gaze  on  Minnie's  features  sweet; 
Long  sat  he  there  regarding  her  while  she  in  mute  surprise, 
Sat  still  and  trembling   'neath  the  gleam  of  those   deep   soul  lit 

eyes. 

At  length  his  thin  lips  opened,  his  voice  was  low  and  sad, 
And  yet  its  tone  so  earnest,  a  thrill  of  feeling  had. 
"  Lady,"  he  said,  "  I  trust  you  will  my  entering  thus  forgive, 
But  a  history  of  some  slight  events,  I  wished  to-night,  to  give. 
May  be  'twill  be  of  interest  to  one  as  fair  as  you, 
Though  it  be  told  by  one  like  me,  all  hideous  to  view, 
And  me  in  part  the  theme  ;  my  memory  journeys  back 
Through  boyhood  and  childhood,  a  strange,  sad,  fearful  track. 
The  first  word  I  did  ever  hear  (methinks  'twas  in  a  dream, 


MINNIE  MONTGOMERY.  70 

And  though  I  comprehended  not,  still  dreadful  it  did  seem,) 
Told  me  I  was  an  orphan,  that  not  one  in  all  the  earth 
Knew  of  my  name  or  parentage,  from  whence  I  took  my  birth  ; 
I  grew  up  in  a  hospital,  they  called  me  Homer  there, 
Because  I  loved  so  well  the  book  he  wrote  of  Illion's  war ; 
Thus  wore  the  heavy  days  and  years  of  childhood  slow  away, 
And  from  the  dismal  dawn  of  life  there  broke  a  gloomier  day  ; 
Alone,  I  wandered  through  the  world,  with  none  for  company, 
Except  the  birds,  the  trees,  the  flowers  and  pitying  stars  on  high. 
The  winds  were  my  companions,  I  knew  their  songs  of  woe, 
When,  in  the  dim,  deep  midnight,  they  on  my  brow  would  blow ; 
Great  Nature  was  my  mother,  and  as  I  older  grew, 
I  learned  to  hate  my  fellow. man,  and  finally  withdrew, 
Beyond  their  habitations,  and  wandered  far  away, 
For  I  had  heard  in  the  far  West  a  paradise  there  lay, 
Where,  'neath  an  ever  azure  sky,  the  world  in  beauty  slept ; 
Where  men  lived  not  to  hoard  up  gold,  where  orphans  never 

wept. 

And  then  I  wandered,  day  by  day;  above  me  was  the  sky, 
Around  a  wilderness  of  flowers  did  ever  greet  my  eye  ; 
And  when  the  great  red  burning  sun  had  gone  away  to  rest, 
Amidst  those  flowers  I  would  sink  down,  and  Oh  !  so  sweetly  rest; 
Above  me,  as  I  sank  to  sleep,  I  saw  the  stars'  soft  light, 
And  the  voices  of  the  breezes  would  whisper  low,  "  good  night.  " 
But  at  length  one  morn  I  could  not  rise,  I  felt  no  actual  pain, 
But  an  unnatural  heaviness  seemed  pressing  on  my  brain  ; 
My  limbs  refused  to  bear  me  up,  and  through  my  frame  a  chill 
Seemed  every  avenue  of  life  with  its  cold  frost  to  fill. 
How  long  I  lay  I  cannot  tell — I  saw  the  sun  on  high ; 
I  saw  the  full  red  harvest  moon  look  pitying  from  the  sky, 


80  MINNIE    MONTGOMERY. 

And  then  the  lamp  of  life  went  out,  well  nigh  in  utter  night, 
Scarce  on  the  shores  of  being  stayed  yet  a  spark  of  light, 
When  a  stranger  found  me  by  the  way  and  bore  me  to  his  tent, 
And  o'er  me  like  a  mother  for  days  and  weeks  he  bent, 
And  wrestled  with  the  enemy  that  round  life's  citadel 
Seemed  for  weeks  to  hold  his  legions  to  storm  the  feeble  wall ; 
At  length  I  slow  recovered,  a  bowed,  decrepid  thing, 
Withered  by  the  beatings  of  the  grim  foe's  dusky  wing  ; 
My  preserver  was  your  husband,  and  then  I  prayed  to  live, 
Until  some  slight  reward  for  such  kindness  I  could  give ; 
And  then,  that  I  might  sleep  the  sleep  that  knows  no  move, 
Until  the  ransomed  spirit  sees  the  morn  of  Heaven  breaking  ; 
A  few  months  since  a  new  sweet  light  made  radiant  this  home, 
Across  the  great  blue  oceans  you  softly,  gently  come ; 
Often  I've  gazed  into  your  face  and  wondered  if  above, 
There  was  one  favored  seraph  more  divine,  more  fit  to  love ; 
I  thought  no  mortal  tongue  could  wound  a  nature  pure  as  thine, 
Where  every  virtue,  every  grace,  seem  pleased  to  intertwine. 
But  here,  to-night,  I  heard  a  wretch  defame  thy  holy  ear, 
And  on  my  dried  and  shrivelled  cheek  I  felt  a  scalding  tear ; 
And  when  you  spurned  him  from  your  sight  I   thought  it  all 

would  bring, 

A  duel,  and  perhaps,  a  death,  a  sad  and  horrid  thing. 
And  noiseless  following  in  his  path,    'neath  the  shade  of  that 

tall  row 

Of  huge  and  massive  buildings,  I  aimed  a  certain  blowv ; 
But  still  'twas  not  a  murder,  I  bade  him  to  beware, 
That  there  was  danger  brooding  in  that  thick  and  silent  air  ; 
Thrice  blazed  his  weapon  in  my  face,  thrice  through  my  matted 

hair 


MINNIE  MONTGOMERY.  81 

I  felt  the  leaden  missive  on  its  erring  message  tear  ; 

I  know  not  all  that  happened,  we  two  were  there  alone, 

And  as  I  turned  away  methought  I  heard  a  shriek  and  groan. " 

XXXVIII. 

So  stunned  was  Minnie  at  the  tale,  'twas  a  moment  ere  her  brain 
Gould  all  the  dreadful  story  of  th^e  solemn  man  contain. 
"  Oh  !  Homer,  "  gasped  she,  'tis  a  fearful  deed  thou  hast  done, 
A  fearful  risk,  for  those  you  love,  poor  creature  thou  hast  run, 
But  go  now,  quickly,  possibly  the  man  may  not  be  slain, 
May  be,  on  the  cold  pavement,  he  suffers  awful  pain  ; 
His  is  a  dreadful  crime  indeed,  but  vengeance  is  not  thine, 
At  least  mercy  with  justice  we  forever  must  entwine  ; 
Get  you  a  servant  quickly  and  bear  him  from  the  street, 
And  till  his  wants  are  all  supplied  walk  not  with  sluggish  feet. 

xxxix. 

He  answered:  "As  I  journeyed  home,  I  heard  behind  a  cry, 
And  looking  back  I  saw,  from  where  I  left  the  man  to  die, 
Four  men  bear  something  on  a  bier;  much  care  he  will  not  crave, 
Except  a  shroud  and  coffin,  a  funeral  and  a  grave, 
And  afterward  a  monument,  to  tell  of  all  his  worth  : 
His  tenderness,  his  wisdom,  and  his  virtues  on  the  earth.  " 

XL. 

Sorely  was  Minnie  troubled,  as  thus  the  man  talked  on, 
And  she  said,  "I  am  so  sorry  for  the  deed  that  you  have  done, 
But,  as  it  is,  go  to  your  room,  and  whisper  not  a  word 
Of  the  history  of  this  night,  what  you  have  done  or  heard. " 

XLI. 

The  man  obeyed,  and,  left  alone,  again  she  bowed  her  head 
And  o'er  a  burning  pathway  her  troubled  thoughts  she  led ; 


82  MINNIE   MONTGOMERY. 

Waiting,  sadly,  for  her  absent  lord,  till  on  her  startled  ear 
The  tolling  of  the  midnight  clock  fell  plaintively  and  drear. 

XLII. 

"  Why  don't  he  come  ?  "  she  murmured,  "  'tis  past  the  midnight 

hour, 

And  he  is  absent  still.     Alas  !  what  if  some  evil  power 
Should  find  him  on  the  morrow  stretched  on  his  cruel  bier, 
And  I,  alone  and  helpless.     Oh  !  Heaven,  in  pity  spare  ; 
Oh !  spare  my  husband  to  me,  take  honors,  wealth  and  all ; 
Leave  me  my  husband  and  his  love — I  will  not  mind  the  fall.  " 

XLIII. 

-A  step  fell  on  the  door  sill :  "  But  wherefore  fears,  "  said  she, 
.  "I  know  that  blessed  step,  and  joy  comes  back  to  me.  " 
Then  she  opened,  with  a  bound,  the  door,  and  eager  clasped  his 

arm, 

And  smilingly  pressed  upon  his  lips  a  welcome  sweet  and  warm  : 
"  Oh !  I'm  so  glad,  "  she  murmured — then  stopped  and  anguished 

stood, 

While  to  her  freezing  heart  ebbed  slowly  back  the  blood, 
For  that  husband  answered  not  her  words,  her  kiss,  or  beaming 

smile, 
.  But  commenced,  in  broken  strains,  to  sing  a  song  of  Bacchus  vile  : 


Then  drink,  drink  my  boys,  while  the  dark  night  shall  last, 
Make  joyful  the  hours  that  in  darkness  are  past ; 
'Midst  earth's  other  pleasures,  'tis  forever  above; 
There's  mirth  in  the  wine  cup,  there's  music  and  love. 


MINNIE    MONTGOMERY,  83 

XLIV. 

Poor  Minnie  clasped  her  burning  brow,  her  heart  grew  faint  and 

cold, 

The  awful  frost  of  anguish  in  her  bosom  had  its  hold ; 
She  kneeled  upon  the  carpet,  and  her  sweet  lips  moved  in  prayer 
That  Heaven,  forever  merciful,  would  her  erring  husband  spare. 
Meanwhile  the  drunken  husband  entered  his  fair  abode, 
With  bloodshot  eye  and  reeling  form  he  o'er  his  threshold  strode ; 
He  seized  the  evening  paper,  then  fierce  and  angry  swore 
The  printers  all  were  drunk,  and  then  the  paper  madly  tore ; 
He  said  the  words  were  so  arranged  they  did  no  sense  express, 
And  then  declared  no  sober  man  could  read  so  vile  a  mess, 
Then  told  his  wife  he  wished  to  dance  and  bade  her  go  and  play, 
Saying  he  hoped  she'd  not  forgot  the  promise  to  "  obey.  " 

XLV, 

Slowly  she  rose,  'round  his  neck  her  white  arms  flung, 

And  to  his  bosom  fondly,  yet  sorrowingly  clung; 

*'  Husband,  "  she  murmured,  "  husband,  my  heart  beats  but  for 

you, 

Oh !  tell  me,  are  you  ill  to-night — what  can  I,  shall  I  do  ?  "4 
But  we  need  not  stop  to  count  her  tears,  or  watch  her  anguished 

soul, 

Or  tell  what  bitter  currents  did  through  her  wrung  heart  roll. 
All  night  she  watched  beside  the  bed  where,  drunk,  her  husband 

lay, 
And  still  beside  that  couch  she  sat  when  broke  the  golden  day. 

XLVI. 

Twas  late,  on  that  bright  morning,  when  Clay  Montgomery  woke, 
And  the  memory  of  his  shame  and  sin  upon  his  senses  broke ; 


&4  MINNIE   MONTGOMERY. 

Close  by  his  side  his  angel  wife  was  weeping  bitterly, 
And,  when  he  called  back  all  his  shame,  he  prayed  that  he  might  die. 
"  Oh !  Minnie, "  said  he — "  Minnie,  look  not  so  sad,  I  pray  ; 
Oh  !  that  I  ne'er  had  wakened  up  to  view  this  wretched  day  ; 
Oh !  dry  those  tears,  I  pray  you,  my  poor,  afflicted  wife, 
'Twasthe  first  time,  and  I  solemn  swear 'tis  the  last  time  in  my  life.1' 

XLVIU 
"  Oh !  my  dear  husband,  "  answered  she,  "  all  earth  looks  sad 

to-day, 
Yon  burning  sun-beams  seem  but  blood,  and,  tracing  back  their 

way, 

They  seem  all  to  originate  in  a  great  fount  of  wine, 
And  round  the  curb  grim  devils  dance  with  many  a  horrid  sign.  " 

XLVIII. 
"  You  break  my  heart,  "  Montgomery  said,  '^iet  not  your  fevered 

brain 

Bring  forth  such  fearful  visions  as  those  dreadful  words  contain  ; 
Forgive  me,  Minnie,  but  this  once,  and,  by  yon  Heaven,  I  swear, 
My  faults  shall  ne'er  again  bring  to  your  azure  eyea  a  tear. " 

XLXI, 

Sadly,  she  answered:  " From  that  vice,  Oh!  fly,  as  from  an  asp, 
Whose  sting  is  past  all  remedy,  whose  charms  few  can  unclasp ; 
Fly  from  it  for  your  happiness,  your  health,  your  very  life, 
Aye,  e'en  your  soul  is  jeopardized,  with  every  curse  'tis  rife.  n 

L. 

u  I  feel  all,  "  said  the  guilty  man. — "  I  was  a  brute  last  night  ; 
Had  you  chained  me,  in  my  frenzy,  you  would  have  served  me 
right. 


MINNIE    MONTGOMERY.  85 

But,  pray,  dear  Minnie,  dry  those  tears,  they  blast  me  like  the  air 
That  blows  from  burning  Africa  o'er  Europe's  rallies  fair ; 
Dear  angel  wife,  forgive,  I  pray,  this  vile,  but  first,  offense, 
And  for  my  crime  your  heart  shall  ne'er  be  made  to  bleed  from 
hence. " 

LI. 

"  No,  Clay,1'  replied  the  loving  wife,  "you  know  we  can't  forgive 
Until  we  are  offended,  and  as  long  as  you  may  live 
You  ne'er  can  offend  me.     It  is  true,  a  few  returns 
Of  yester  eve  would  crush  this  heart,  that  unto  you  so  yearns, 
But  never,  never,  could  produce  one  bitter  .thought  from  me, 
Or  check  my  yearning  heart's  intense,  unbounded  love  for  thee  ; 
For  your  dear  sake  I  will  forget  last  evening's  dread  events, 
And  with  love's  gentlest  "bandage  strive  to  bind  your  heart's  vast 
rents." 

LII. 

"  You  are  the  noblest  wife,1'  said  Clay,  "  that  man  did  e'er  possess, 
And  when  again  unto  these  lips  this  hand  that  cup  shall  press, 
That  fired  my  ferain  with  such  a  hell  last  night,  and  clothed  your 

brow 

With  clouds,  whose  shadows  linger  on  its  pale  outline  now, 
May  it  be  withered  in  that  hour.  "     "  Oh !  thank  you,  dearest 

Clay, 

I'll  trust  you,  "  said  the  peerless  wife,  "  but  O !  each  golden  ray, 
This  morn,  from  yonder  world  of  light,  that  fair  did  yester  fall 
No  more  are  bright  or  gorgeous,  they  have  lost  their  beauty  all, 
And  yonder  soft  and  peaceful  Bay,  whose  water's  murmuring  roar 
Seemed  a  seraph's  anthem  last  eve,  as  they  broke  upon  the  shore, 
Now  echoes  back  as  sad  and  harsh,  as  did  the  billows  hoarse, 


86  MINNIE  MONTGOMERY. 

That  howled  in  gloom  and  mockery  above  our  Infant's  corse. 
But  I'll  trust  you,  husband  dear,  for  you  have  promised  me. " 
And  then  around  his  neck  she  wound  her  arms  confidingly ; 
Their  lips  pressed  to  each  other's,  and  in  that  short  moment's  bliss, 
All  theirsorrows  were  forgotten  in  love  and  tenderness. 

LIII. 

The  morning  journals  of  that  day  contained  a  vivid  tale  : 
How,  on  the  street,  the  previous  night,  some  ruffians  did  assail 
One  of  the  worthiest  citizens,  who  would  no  doubt  have  died 
Had  not  the  "  vigilant  Police  n  the  murderers  scared  aside. 
When  Homer  read  the  history  r  he  smiled  a  quiet  smile, 
And  the  prudent  public  sighed,  that  robbers  fierce  and  vile 
Should  openly  and  boldly  their  very  streets  infest ; 
The  woe  of  San  Francisco — Phosnix  city  of  the  West- 


CANTO   VI. 

i. 

'Twas  night  again — Montgomery's  wife  was  in  her  parlor  fair, 

A  proud,  sedate,  heroic  form  was  closeted  with  her  there; 

'Twas  Captain  Thorn,  the  gallant  man,  the  gifted  officer, 

And  humble  were  the  glances  that  he  lifted  up>to  her. 

He  spoke  :  "I  have  long  wished  the  hour  I  might  thus  honored  be; 

"  I  have  long  wished,"  continued  he  "  to  spend  an  hour  with  thee ; 

But  something  has  prevented  all  my  efforts  'till  to-night, 

And  even  now,  from  some  good  friends,  I  had  to  take  my  flight ; 

"You  have  I  think,"  he  added,  ""been  here   for  half  a  year   or 

more, 
How  seems  it,  dark  or  pleasant,,  now,  on  this  far  western  shore  ?" 

ii. 

"  I  am  delighted/'  she  replied,  "-such  climate  and  such  skies, 
Such  sunny  days,  such  splendid  nights,  when  the  stars  gorgeous 

rise ; 
Such  lib'ral  soil,  such  mines  of  wealth,  such  mountains  grand  and 

old, 

Such  flow'ring  plains,  such  scenery  as  hills  and  vales  unfold ; 
Methinks  no  other  land  can  boast  a  second  Italy, 
The  richest, rarest  gemvin  all  the  Union  galaxy.. 


88  MINNIE    MONTGOMERY. 

III. 

"  You  seem  to  love,"  said  Thorn,  "  its  clime,  its  soil,  its  scenery, 
What  think  you  of  another  thing — I  mean,  society?" 

IV. 

"  Ah  !  that  is  quite  another  thing,"  she  answered  with  a  sigh, 
"  The  fearless  thought,  the  open  soul,  the  generosity, 
The  ample  hearts,  the  friendly  hands  of  California  men, 
Their  love  of  genius,  scorn  of  forms,  I  praise,  shall  praise  again  ; 
The  native  greatness  of  their  souls,  their  zeal  and  enterprise, 
With  a  thousand  other  noble  traits,  I  constant  love  and  praise. 
But  yet,  in  character,  rnethinks  there's  something  wanting  still, 
All  seem  too  willing  to  suspect  their  neighbors  may  do  ill, 
And  too  oft  on  good  foundation  are  those  suspicions  built, 
As  this  land  excels  in  beauty,  I  fear  it  does  in  guilt." 

v. 

"  I  had  a  home,"  continued  she,  "  away  beyond  the  deep, 
Where  sisters,  brothers  dwell,  where  my  parents'  ashes  sleep  ; 
And  though  for  long  months  o'er  that   land  do  winter  tempests 

blow, 

Though  half  the  long,  long  weary  year,  is  wrapt  in  frost  and  snow; 
Though  my  home  was  there  an  humble  one,  and  humble  still  my 

lot; 

Though  here  I  am  rich  and  honored,  think  you  that  home's  forgot  ? 
No!     Virtue  there  was  honored,  justice  reverenced  and  obeyed, 
And  the  man  was  derided  when  from  duty's  path  he  strayed ; 
Sir,  'tis  hard  for  me  to  dwell  here,  and  here  I  could  not  die, 
For  all  my  young  affections  still  around  that  loved  spot  lie ; 
People  here  almost  seem  to  dwell  with  hat  and  mantle  on, 
And  staff  in  hand,  eager  to  go,  when  a  little  more  is  done." 


MINNIE    MONTGOMERY.  89 

VI. 

u  That  love  of  home  is  strong,"  said  Thorn,  "  oft  on  the  lonely  sea, 
In  dreams  I've  been  again  beneath  the  old  Magnolia  tree  ; 
Where  passed  in  happiness  my  life,  when  I,  a  thoughtless  boy, 
Believed  the  world  before  me  but  a  long  bright  stream  of  joy  ; 
Ere  I  learned  that  storms  and  tempest  the  bark  of  life  must  brave, 
Before  at  last  Death  furls  its  sails  and  moors  it  in  the  grave. 
That  cold  and  dreadful  haven,  on  the  shores  of  endless  night, 
From  out  whose  mysterious  shelter,  no  sail  e'er  hove  in  sight, 
To  bring  a  memorandum  of  the  currents  and  the  tides, 
Through  which  the  gloomy  pilot  the  trembling  spirits  guides."' 

VII. 

"  Lady,"  he  continued,   "  in  this  land,  with  you,  the  hours 
Have  passed  in  sunshine,  and  your  feet  have  ever  trod  onfloweis. 
All  that  wealth  and  cultivated  taste  could  give,  have  been  bestowed 

on  thee, 

Your  life  has  been  a  constant  feast,  an  endless  luxury  ; 
How  terrible  would  be  the  fate  to  fall  from  that  high  place, 
And  behold  toil,  suffering  and  want,  cold,  stare  you  in  the  face. 
That  fate  is  hanging  o'er  you  now,  your  husband  is  no  moro 
The  millionaire  of  yesterday,  by  his  own  folly 's  poor. 
He  is  no  longer  worthy  of  a  wife  so  fair  as  yon. 
Now  listen  for  a  moment,  since  first  your  charms  I  knew 
A  storm  of  passion  has  assailed  my  fiery  throbbing  breast ; 
Gone  is  my  young  heart's  quiet,  I  have  no  longer  rest ; 
Gone  are  my  dreams  of  glory,  give  me  no  honor  more 
Than  to  kneel  here  at  your  feet  and  your  heavenly  charms  adore  ; 
Long  wrestled  I  with  passion,  but  love  o'er-mastered  me ; 
I  should  have  pined  in  silence,  but  now  that  poverty, 
With  icy  hand  is  knocking  e'en  at  your  very  door, 


90  MINNIE  MONTGOMERY,  j 

I  thought  this  tale  of  passion  in  your  startled  ear  to  pour  ; 
I  beseech  you  to  fly  with  me,  I  sail  at  ebbing  tide, 
My  noble  ship  shall  bear  you  in  safety  and  in  pride ; 
When  the  morning  breaks  in  crimson  upon  the  eastern  sea 
Its  mighty  guns  in  thunder  tones  shall  give  salute  to  thee, 
And  when  sweet  twilight  softly  glows  transparent  on  the  brine 
Low  music  shall  float  around  thee  and  in  thy  heart-chords  twine  ; 
Come  with  me,  Oh,  coine  with  me,  my  joy,  my  life,  my  love  ; 
Gome  from  poverty  and  grief  to  where  streams  of  pleasure  move.  " 

Till. 

A  pallor,  for  a  moment  brief,  spread  o'er  those  features  fair 

Of  the  troubled,  anxious  Minnie,  and  one  sad,  scalding  tear 

Sparkled  in  her  azure  eye,  and  trickled  down  her  cheek, 

And  for  one  bitter  moment  she  strove  in  vain  to  speak ; 

At  length  she  cried,  "rash,  thoughtless  man,  what,  where  didst 

thou  see 
One  look  or  word  of  mine  to  cause  this  shameful  act  in  thee.  " 

IX. 

44  Your  every  look,  your  every  word,  "  the  fiery  man  replied, 
Doth  captivate,  they  turn  my  brain  and  throbbing  heart  aside ; 
Oh !  fly  with  me  to  my  good  ship,  'twill  bear  you  far  from  here, 
Where  flowers  and  summer  bind  the  earth  in  one  eternal  year  ; 
Til  fill  your  every  dream  with  bliss,  I'll  feast  you  on  such  joy, 
I'll  mix  your  every  cup  with  love  unmingled  with  alloy  ; 
All  that's  in  nature  beautiful,  or  learning  rare  can  bring, 
Where  poetry  and  music  do  their  sweetest  measures  sing ; 
I'll  build  in  rich  magnificence  for  thee  a  golden  bower, 
And  be  an  ever  faithful  slave  to  guard  my  beauteous  flower.  " 
And  as  his  words  of  passion  wild,  the  rash  niun  did  repeat, 
He  humbly  and  beseechingly  kneeled  at  the  lady's  feet. 


MINNIE    MONTGOMERY.  91 

X. 

With  mingled  pity  and  contempt,  she  sternly  bade  him  rise  : 

"  Rise,  sir,  and  cease  these  foolish  words,  so  wicked  and  unwise  : 

Shame,  Captain,  Ob,  for  shame,  for  shame,  take  off  that  dangling 

sword, 

Throw  by  those  golden  epaulettes,  until  you  are  restored 
Once  more  back  to  your  reason,  now  you  shame  your  very  sex, 
Thus  cringing  like  a  spaniel,  a  woman  weak  to  vex ; 
A  sorrowing,  helpless  female,  whose  only  boast  has  been 
She  has  a  husband  full  worthy  enough  to  wed  a  queen  ; 
Sir,  are  you  not  a  gallant  knight,  acting  a  hero's  part, 
Beseiging  the  frail  fortress  of  a  poor,  weak  woman's  heart, 
Whose  only  garrison  is  love,  and  that  is  all  from  here 
With  my  beloved  husband,  who  doth  little  know  how  fair 
A  scene  his  poor  wife's  seeing  acted.  Captain,  for  shame,  for  shame,. 
I  blush  for  your  profession,  for  your  honor  and  your  name  ; 
You  have  abused,  disgraced  them  all ;  still  in  my  burning  ear 
Thy  dreadful  words  are  ringing  shrill,  their  hateful  tones  I  hear ; 
No  more  the  soldier,  seaman ;  to  a  pirate  thou  dost  change, 
You  are  striving  now  confiding  hearts   forever  to  estrange. 
To  rob  a  husband  of  a  wife,  a  wife's  heart  to  remove 
From  the  idol  of  her  maiden  soul,  the  husband  of  her  love, 
From  him  who  stands  by  other  men  as  stands  some  beauteous  pine 
Beside  the  reeds,  and  thorns,  and  briars,  that  'round  its  strong  roots 

twine.  " 

Ashamed,  the  brave,  but  erring  man,  arose  and  strode  away, 
Yet  paused,  the  beauteous  creature,  for  one  moment  to  survey. 

XI. 

"  Lady, "  he  said,  "  with  me  is  wealth,  and  love,  and  luxury  ; 
From  henceforth,,  with  thy  husband,  all  is  gloom  and  poverty. " 


92  MINNIE   MONTGOMERY. 

XII. 

"  What  then,  sir,  is  the  duty  of  a  faithful  wife?  "  said  she, 
"  The  sunny  side  of  life  to  share,  and  fly  adversity  ? 
Or  is  it  to  shed  around  her  home  a  smile  of  such  sweet  love 
That  with  its  sunlight  softness  it  shall  all  the  clouds  remove, 
Without  one  harsh  upbraiding  word,  to  comfort  the  distress 
That  on  her  husband's  heart  doth  so  cold  and  heavy  press 
Till  he  shall  feel  at  length  he  has  a  treasure  left, 
Supremely  higher  than  the  one  of  which  he  is  bereft, 
Till  finally  that  sunny  smile  shall  thaw  the  bosom's  frost, 
And  in  his  joy  he  shall  forget  the  rusty  coin  he's  lost.  " 

XIII. 

A  moment,  Thorn  fixed  gazed  on  her,   and  then  subdued  ex 
claimed  : 

"  Thy  fair  form  doth  but  emblem  the  soul  within  contained  ; 
Thou  beautiful  and  matchless  one,  with  heart  of  angel  worth, 
Thine  equal  treads  no  pathway  upon  all  this  sordid  earth  ; 
May  God  your  angel  loveliness  and  innocence  protect, 
Here  on  this  shore  of  evil  where  so  many  hearts  are  wrecked.  " 
Then  bursting  from  the  room,  on  the  murmuring  breeze  there  fell 
Those  plaintive  words  of  parting  :  Farewell,  for  e'er  farewell. 

XIV. 

Oft  times  'tis  said,  in  tropic  climes,  the  world  in  beauty  sleeps, 
The  orange  and  the  palm  trees  wave,  the  wandering  ivy  creeps ; 
The  tenderest  flowers  are  blooming,  the  softest  verdure  glows ; 
The  genial  breeze,  that  fans  the  world,  bears  fragrance  where  it 

blows ; 

The  world  in  child-like  peace  doth  rest  and  calm  is  nature's  face, 
No  signs  of  inward  struggling  could  mortal  glances  trace, 
When  below,  in  nature's  bosom,  do  earthquakes  growl  and  lift, 


MINNIE    MONTGOMERY.  $& 

And  the  mighty  earth's  foundations  are  to  their  centre  reft ; 
The  rocks  of  ages  melt  and  boil,  and  earth  doth  throb  and  sigh, 
While  above  bloom  softest  flowers,  and  smiles  an  azure  sky. 

xv. 

Fit  emblem  of  that  lady,  as  she  on  her  chair  reclined, 
The  saddening  scenes  of  the  last  hour  went  rushing  through  her 

mind, 

There  was  a  dreadful  paleness  spread  upon  her  classic  brow 
And  her  blue  eyes  had  a  lustre  unnatural  in  them  now  ; 
But   the  face  was  calm   as  marble,  like  some   sculptor's  chaste 

design, 

When  he  would  on  alabaster  some  angel's  face  enshrine  ; 
But  bitter  through  her  anguished  heart  did  counter  currents  pour, 
She  called  the  past  hour's  strange  words  in  succession  o'er  and 

o'er; 

And  torn  with  sad  and  harrowing  thoughts,  she  waited  the  return 
Of  him  toward  whom  her  heart  ne'er  for  an  instant  ceased  to 

yearn ; 

The  father  of  her  buried  boy,  the  husband  she  did  choose, 
When  suitors  thronged  her  ears  with  vows  few  maidens  could 

reluse. 

XVI. 

That  husband  was  not  idle  ;  pacing  slowly  down  the  street, 
Leonard,  the  subtle  doctor,  he  came  perchance  to  meet ; 
Who  drew  him  from  the  busy  throng,  and  asked  him  if  he  knew 
It  was  indeed  a  dangerous  thing,  where  females  were  so  few, 
To  have  so  fair  a  wife  as  his.     "  Why  ?"  bluntly  answered  Clay, 
"  Do  I  understand  the  climate  here  is  bad  in  any  way  ?" 
"Pooh!  "  returned  Leonard  quickly,  "  'twas  not  the  clime  I  had 


94  MINNIE   MONTGOMERY. 

Tell  me  what  certain  proof  thou  hast  thy  wife  is  true  to  you." 
Montgomery's  eye  flashed  living  fire.      "What  proof  have  I," 

said  he, 

"  That  the  bright  sun,  that  sunk  this  evening  in  the  emerald  sea, 
Was  pure  ?     Did  not  its  last  rays  flash  all  gloriously  back, 
Illumining  with  splendor  rare  his  long  and  crimson  track? 
And  do  not  my  sweet  wife's  eyes  burn  with  purer,  brighter  ray, 
Than  e'en  on  clearest  evening  does  the  glorious  god  of  day  ? 
How  often  have  I  marked  it  well,  when  in  our  fireside  talk, 
We  have  the  vices  mentioned  that  here  unbridled  stalk, 
Her  gentle,  modest  eye,  and  brow,  with  indignation  flame, 
Her  pallid  cheek  redden  and  burn,  suffused  with  honest  shame." 

XVII. 

"  Wert  sure  'twas  honest?"  Leonard  asked;  u  the  ocean  has  a 

bound, 

The  weight  of  the  thin  viewless  air  is  to  a  scruple  found, 
There's  scarce  in  secret  Nature  left  a  single  mystery, 
Except  a  subtle  woman's  skill  to  hide  duplicity.  " 

XVIII. 

Clay  answered,  coldly  :  "  We  are  told  that  angels  fell  from  Heaven, 
That  our  first  parents  found  in  sin  were  from  their  Eden  driven. 
But  my  unequalled,  matchless  wife  is  higher  far  than  they  ; 
Like  the  Andes'  loftiest  summit,  towering  sublime  away 
Beyond  the  clouds  or  storms  of  earth,  or  strife  of  elements  ; 
Beyond  where  lightnings  flash  and  play,  or  the  blast  its  fury 

vents ; 

Beyond  the  condor's  loftiest  flight,  far  off  above  decay  ; 
Beyond  where  mortal  creatures  breathe,  where  ne'er  a  cloud  doth 

stray. 


MINNIE  MONTGOMERY.  95 

Clear  and  unchangeable,  while  time  rolls  on  his  ponderous  car, 
So  above  the  drifting  things  of  earth  she  stands  serene  afar; 
Her  angel  soul  is  fixed  on  Heaven,  her  angel  heart  is  mine. 
When  in  sleep  she  doth  at  midnight  her  senses  most  resign, 
E'en  then  she  mingles  in  her  dreams  my  name  in  tones  of  love  ; 
She's  mine,  nor  can  your  hellish  plots  my  confidence  remove.  " 

XIX. 

"  Enough!  "  the  haughty  Leonard  spake,   "  chafe  not  &o  harshly, 

sir, 
Your  wife  is  falser  than  our  hopes  ;  'tis  clearly  proved  on  her.  " 

xx. 

All  Montgomery's  smothered  anger  now  in  a  wild  storm  burst 

forth, 
He  grasped  the  strong  man  in  his  hands,  and  dashed  him  to  the 

earth  ; 

Then  loathing  spurned  him  with  his  foot,  and  fiercely,  in  his  ear, 
He  hissed  a  curse  a  demon  might  tremble  almost  to  hear, 
And  with  mind  raging,  as  before  it  never  raged  in  life, 
He  forsook  him  and  turned  away  to  seek  his  home  and  wife. 

XXI. 

He  entered  the  parlor  door,  ere  his  Minnie  heard  his  step, 
Then  toward  him  with  a  joyful  step  exulting  she  did  leap ; 
She  wound  her  white  arms  round  him,  softly  kissed  his  sunburnt 

face, 
While  from  the  fountains  of  her  eyes  their  way  did  hot  tears 

trace. 

Astonished  at  her  conduct  strange,  he  gently  stroked  her  brow, 
And  besought  her  to  tell  him  what  griefs  did  her  heart  so  strong 

o'erflow. 


96  MINNIE    MONTGOMERY. 

XXII. 

"Oh!   Clay,"  she  answered,  with  a  sigh,    "alas!  I'm  troubled 

sore; 
Would  we  were  in  our  first  home  still,  e'en  though  we  were  so 

poor; 

This  land  is  a  false,  guilty  land,  a  gilded  curse  at  best ; 
That  while  the  eager  hand  hoards  gold,  the  spirit  has  no  rest. 
A  few  weeks  since,  one  evening,  I  was  sitting  here  alone, 
You  had  left  my  side  an  hour  before,  on  some  business  gone, 
When  a  man  of  fame  and  talent  called,  he  was,  besides,  your  friend, 
I  welcomed  him  as  such,  and  thought  a  pleasant  hour  to  spend  ; 
But  ere  he  had  been  one  hour  here,  he  said  such  words  of  ehame, 
That  to  repeat  them  almost  would  a  virtuous  life  defame ; 
I  cannot  tell  you  all  he  said,  one  thing  I  will  recall, 
He  said  '  a  lover  had  some  claim,  a  husband  had  not  all.  " 

XXIII. 

"  Who  was  the  man  ?  "  Montgomery  asked,  "  0,  Minnie,  tell  me 

why 
This  horrid  thing  within  your  heart  you  let  a  secret  lie.  " 

XXIV. 

"  Patience,  "  said  Minnie,  "  patience,  Clay,  listen  a  moment  more  ; 
Homer,  the  servant,  happened  to  that  moment  pass  the  door, 
And  heard  the  man's  insulting  words,  and  following  in  his  path, 
O'ertook  him  in  an  alley,  and  stabbed  him  near  to  death  ; 
Perhaps  you  may  remember  how  a  rich,  accomplished  man 
Was  carried  dying  to  his  home,  slain  by  a  robber  clan.  " 

XXV. 

"  Wallace  !  by  Heaven!  Clay  exclaimed—"  The  same,  "  his  wife 
replied ; 


MINNIE  MONTGOMERY.  97 

"  I  thought  the  punishment  enough,  so  passed  the  thing  aside, 
Thinking  I  would  not  trouble  you  with  the  unhappy  tale  ; 
But  here,  to-night,  another  strove  with  soft  words  to  prevail, 
Yes,  here,  to-night,  another  man,  handsome,  distinguished,  learned, 
Declared  how  to  your  homely  wife,  his  heart  intensely  yearned ; 
First  he  told  me  you  were  bankrupt,  Clay,  then,  on  bended  knee, 
He  vowed,  in  love's  intensest  terms,  his  tenderness  for  me  ; 
0  !  Clay,  I  pray  thee  take  me  back  to  our  first  home  so  plain ; 
Let  us  repair  our  little  cot  and  live  in  peace  again.  " 


"Who  was    it,  Minnie,   here   to-night?"  Montgomery  musing 

asked, 
'Twas  one,  she  answered,  that  beneath  your  friendship  long  has 

basked  ; 

'Twas  Captain  Thorn,  the  officer  you  thought  so  highly  of. " 
"Can  it  be  possible  !  "  said  he,  "  that  Thorn  should  traitor  prove  ? 
But  he  told  you  I  was  bankrupt  ;  can  you  such  tidings  bear, 
Can  you  again  the  fearful  sting  of  poverty  endure, 
Wouldst  not  be  wretched  and  distressed  had  you  again  in  view 
A  home  of  such  simplicity  as  first  I  bore  you  to  ?  " 

XXVII. 

"Dear  husband,  wilt  believe  me  ?  when  he  told  me,  I  was  glad, 
For  I  thought  I  could  interpret  then,  why,  of  late,  thou'dst  been 

so  sad ; 

You  feared  to  tell  your  poor  wife  you  had  been  unfortunate  ; 
Is  makes  us  equal  once  again ;  back  in  our  native  State, 
"Were  we  not  very  wealthy,  Clay,  when  every  day  we  toiled, 
When  for  the  very  bread  we  ate  our  hands  were  browned  and 

soiled ; 

8 


98  MINNIE    MONTGOMERY. 

XXVIII. 

While  though  no  gold  and  silver  did  our  treasury  possess, 
'Twas  filled  overflowing  full  with  love  and  sweetest  happiness.  " 
"  We  were  happy"  answered  Clay — "  but  we're  not  quite  bank 
rupt  yet ; 

That  night  I  drank  the  poisoned  wine  and  did  so  drunken  get 
A  subtle  villain  enticed  me  within  a  gambler's  den, 
He  ever  envied  me  my  wealth,  he  hoped  my  ruin  then  ; 
In  a  measure  he  succeeded,  and  had  not  a  generous  man 
Led  me  almost  perforce  away  he  had  finished  his  dark  plan  ; 
As  'tis,  I  have  a  fortune  left,  which  in  this  city  few 
Can  boast,  though  princely  fortunes  here  drop  on  men  like  the 

dew, 
But  true,  the  thoughts  of  my  disgrace,  the  dread  'twould  reach 

your  ears, 
I  erant  has  caused  me  many  a  pang,  and  many  bitter  fears. '' 

XXIX. 

"Oh  Clay,  "  she  said,  "  'twas  wrong  to  keep  this  small  event  from 

me, 

For  secrets  cause  suspicion,  and  suspicion  jealousy, 
And  jealousy,  when  firmly  fixed,  has  ne'er  uprooted  been  ; 
It  stands  the  hardiest  plant  in  all  the  noxious  soil  of  sin. 

XXX. 

"  Well,  "  resumed  Montgomery,  "I  have  more  to  tell  you  still, 
The  man,  to-night,  who  took  my  gold,  strove  all  my  peace  to 

kill  ; 

Envying  me  my  joy  he  strove  my  heart  to  change  toward  thee ; 
He  told  me  that  my  best  beloved,  my  wife,  was  false  to  me. 

XXXI. 

"  Oh !  Clay,  what  did  you  answer  him  ?  "  the  anguished  woman 
gasped, 


MINNIE    MONTGOMERY.  99 

"  What  did  I  answer  him, "  said  Clay,  "  the  villain's   throat  I 

clasped ; 

I  dashed  him  on  the  pavement,  with  my  foot  his  carcass  spurned, 
And  stunned  his  ear  with  a  great  curse,  then  from  him  loathing 

turned. " 
*'  You  did  not,  then,  believe  him,  Clay?  "  at  length  she  weeping 

said. 

"  Believe  him  !  "  said  Montgomery,  "  I'll  tell  you  how  I  did  : 
I  told  him  our  first  parents  sinned,  from  Heaven  did  angels  fall, 
But  that  my  Minnie's  heart  was  pure  and  steadfast  over  all.  " 
•"  Thanks,  oh,  thanks,  my  only  love,  you  did  trust  me, "  she  re 
plied, 

Then,  half  hysterically,  she  clung  about  his  neck  and  cried. 
Never,  by  love,  with  firmer  bonds  had  confiding  hearts  been  tied, 
And  while  they  thought,  they  both  rejoiced  their  faith  had  thus 
been  tried. 

XXXII. 

First,  spoke  the  wife  :  "  Husband,  you  know  our  school   books 

used  to  tell 

Of  rocks  that  had  upon  them  fixed  impressions  perfect  still 
Of  reptiles'  feet  that  trod  on  them,  in  some  forgotten  day, 
While  yet  the  earth  was  fair  and  young,  and  the  tough  rocks  but 

clay  ; 

Thus,  husband,  is  my  heart,  though  it  be  callous,  hard  and  cold, 
Unwilling  other  impressions  either  to  receive  or  hold, 
Still  it  only  makes  thy  image  there  more  fixed,  more  secure  ; 
Aye,  yes,  whilst  this  poor  body  lasts,  its  hold  is  steadfast,  sure, 
And  Heaven,  the  last,  long  hoped  for  home,  would  be  a  dreary 

place 
Could  not  while  there  my  spirit  eyes  behold  thy  spirit  face.  " 


100  MINNIE    MONTGOMERY. 

"  Thank  you,  "  said  Clay,  "  my  angel  wife,  thou  art  all  that  I  could 

ask; 

I  hope  long  years  yet  on  this  earth  in  those"  sunny  eyes  to  bask  ; 
But  I  dreamed  last  night  we  were  dead,  that  arm  in  arm  we  trod 
Upon  the  golden  streets  above,  in  the  Paradise  of  God, 
The  sound  of  harps  was  in  my  ear,  seraphs  were  thronging  high, 
But  thy  voice  was  sweeter  than  the  song,  and  to  my  partial  eye 
Thy  spirit  still  more  beautiful  than  the  fairest  ones  that  move, 
With  angelic  grace  and  beauty  through  the  azure  courts  above.'  * 

XXXIII. 

Thus  they  talked  as  wore  the  evening,  let  us  leave  them  happy 

there ; 

Let  us  leave  them  and  toward  Leonard  a  little  while  repair  ; 
He  had  quickly  recovered  from  Clay's  tremendous  blow, 
And  he  ground  his  teeth  in  bitter  wrath  and  smote  his  burning 

brow, 

And  he  swore  an  awful  oath,  that  by  his  hopes  of  Heaven 
Clay  should  die — that  the  black  deed  should  ne'er  be  forgiven  ; 
He  brushed  from  off  his  garments  rich  the  foul  dust  of  the  street, 
Then  hastened  up  a  winding  stairs,  some  trusty  friend  to  meet ; 
'Twas  an  editor's  abode  he  sought,  a  much  distinguished  man, 
One  who  made  it  his  fixed  duty  the  peoples'  faults  to  scan. 
Leonard  entered  hastily  his  sanctum,  and  found  him  seated  there 
Striving  an  editorial  for  his  paper  to  prepare. 

xxxiv. 
The  evening's  compliments  were  passed,  when  Leonard  quickly 

told 

His  angry  tale,  while  o'er  his  face  dark  clouds  of  passion  rolled, 
And  finally  he  said  :  "  Will  you  bear  to  him  from  me 

A  challenge,  for  I  cannot  rest  till  his  stiff 'ning  corse  I  see.  " 

• 


MINNIE    MONTGOMERY.  101 

XXXV. 

"  Why  Leonard,  "  said  the  editor,  "  dost  thou  so  soon  forget 
How  I  praised  you  last  whiter  for  the  speech  you  did  beget ; 
You  remember,  'twas  a  labor'd  speech,  and  a  labor'd  puff  I  gave  ; 
I  called  you,  as  its  author,  a  statesman,  learned  and  grave ; 
One  who  had  his  country's  welfare  a  landmark  in  his  view, 
You  know  the   theme  was  duelling,  and  you  know  how  dark   a 

hue, 

You  gave  the  person's  heart  and  mind,  who  should  participate 
In  a  thing  so  terrible  to  homes,  so  baleful  to  a  State ; 
And  Leonard,  will  you  now  offend  the  very  law  you  made  ? 
Will  you  let  forth  the  evil  stream  your  strong  arm  partly  stayed  ?" 

xxxvi. 

Leonard  replied,  emphatically,  "  Oh !  stop  that  moral  strain, 
And  tell  me,  will  you  help  me  ?  or  must  I  try  again  ?" 

XXXVII. 

"  Oh!  yes,"  said  he,  "Til  help  you,  but  it  is  too  late  to-night, 
Walt  till  morning,  and  the  message  I'll  bear  at  early  light." 

XXXVIII. 

44  Thank  you,  Lewis,  that  is  like  you,"  said  Leonard  smilingly, 
•"Your  editorial,  like  my  speech,  was  full  of  policy; 
Good  night,  now,  when  you  return,  leave  me  the  answer  given, 
I  hope  this  hour  to-morrow  will  find  the  thing  made  even." 
Thus  they  parted — that   night,    Leonard  with   mind  all   passion 

tossed, 
And  Lewis  gazing  in  his  grate  in  meditation  lost. 


CANTO    VII. 

i. 

Morning  again  in  purple  robes  appeared  upon  the  eastr 

And  bound  the  sun,  a  golden  gem,  upon  her  radiant  breast ; 

Her  rosy  garments  flowing  wide,  fell  over  all  the  sky, 

And  her  crimson  mantle  trailing  on  the  horizon  did  lie. 

With  that  bright  morning's  earliest  beams,  Montgomery  sought 

the  shore, 

And  the  vessels  in  the  harbor  his  eager  eyes  ran  o'er ; 
But  he  looked  and  sought  in  vain  for  one,  a  proud  ship,  tall  and 

fair, 

That  the  eve  before  was  sleeping  at  her  moorings  peaceful  there; 
No,  that  dark  but  gorgeous  vessel,  was  beyond  the  Golden  Gate, 
With  the  strong  breeze  pressing  every  sail,  as  thor  she  fled  from 

fate; 

The  image  on  its  arching  bows  with  crested  foam  was  white, 
And  abaft  its  wake  extended  far,  a  long  clear  stream  of  light ; 
Silent  along  her  rolling  deck,  a  fair  form  listless  strode, 
And  careless  gazed  out  on  the  waves,  that   past  his  good  ship 

flowed ; 

That  high  form  was  Captain  Thorn's,  one  an  honor  to  his  race, 
But  now  with  every  sail  unfurled  he  fled  from  his  disgrace. 


MINNIE  MONTGOMERY.  103 

Love !  what  a  boundless  mastery  thou  hast  upon  the  heart, 
How  difficult  when  firmly  fixed,  thy  golden  links  to  part, 
How  strange,  too,  are  thy  cunning  ways,  making  a  sage  a  fool, 
And  a  brainless  fool  almost  a  sage  by  the  same  fickle  rule. 

ii. 

'Tis  said  for  many  days  and  weeks,  that  glorious  vessel  fled, 
Oft  would  the  sudden  tempest,  tear  the  stretched  sail  to  a  shred; 
But  the  stern  commander's  only  word  was  let  the  fierce  winds  blow 
And  strain  each  yard  of  canvass,  that  on  we  more  swift  may  go  ; 
Press  on  the  sails,  unfurl  them  all,  with  foam  keep  white  the  prow, 
And  let  the  watchword  only  be,  we're  sailing  swiftly  now ; 
Then  sped  they  on  across  the  line,  far  off  on  southern  seas, 
Until  the  spray  froze  on  the  sails,  and  frigid  was  the  breeze  ; 
Far  in  those  ice  bound  latitudes,  where  winter  holds  her  seat, 
And   the  shrill   lament  of  warring  winds  the  seaman's  ear   doth 
greet. 

HI. 

'Tis  said  some  Patagonians  watched  from  off  this  snow  crowned 

shore, 

And  saw  the  ship  with  sails  all  torn,  as  a  tempest  o'er  it  bore ; 
A  mountain  billow  climbed  her  deck,  mast,  spar  and  sail  went  by, 
And  wild  above  the  crash  of  waves,  came  back  a  drowning  cry. 
By  the  Isle  of  Desolation,  on  a  fearful  frozen  coast, 
Where  winter  broods  perpetual  woe,  the  gorgeous  ship  was  lost ; 
But  by  the  broken  mast  was  seen,  a  tall  form,  self  possessed, 
Amidst  the  fearful  tumult  that  assailed  each  other  breast ; 
And  when  the  massive  ship   went  down,  he  stirred  not  from  his 

place, 
But  calmly  gazed  on  coming  death  with  unaverted  face. 


104  MINNIE    MONTGOMERY. 

IY. 

Montgomery  slowly  turned  away  in  deep  thought  to  his  home, 
And  when  within  its  eherish'd  bounds  at  length  he'd  quiet  come  ; 
He  was  surprised,  a  stranger,  in  his  drawing  room  to  meet, 
For  the  morning  o'er  the  slumbering  world  had  hardly  broken  yet; 
That  stranger  was  the  editor,  who  cold,  but  courteously 
Gave  Clay  a  note,  requesting  if  convenient,  a  reply ; 
Clay  glanced  briefly  at  the  message,  then  bade  the  man  return 
In  an  hour,  if  the  answer  he  should  make  he  wished  to  learn. 
Then  Lewis  left  the  mansion,  and  Montgomery  called  his  wife, 
She  came  quickly  at  his  bidding,  with  smiles  her  cheeks  were  rife  ; 
He  drew  her  beside  him  tenderly  and  asked  her  what  reply, 
To  give  to  such  a  message,  to  refuse  or  to  comply. 

v. 

She  glanced  the  message  quickly  o'er;  "dear  husband,"  murmured 

she, 

Does  that  fiend  then  wish  to  slay  you,  because  you  honored  me  ? 
Oh  !  Clay,  you  must  not  fight  him,  that  base  challenge   spurn, 

despise !" 
And  as  she  spoke  her  cheeks  grew  pale,  and  tears  o'er  ran  her  eyes. 

VI. 

"  But  Minnie,"  answered  Clay,  "  you  know  they'd  call  me  coward 

then, 

Thou  hadst  better  be  a  widow  than  a  coward's  wife  I  ween  ; 
Your  soul  so  sensitive  and  proud  would  crumble  'neath  the  stain, 
That  the  husband  of  thy  love  did  a  coward  heart  contain." 

VII. 

She  slowly,  gravely,  sadly  spoke,  "  Who'd  call  you  coward  Clay, 
Should  you  this   wretched  challenge   choose  to  spurn  and  cast 
away  ?" 


MINNIE    MONTGOMERY.  105 

Till. 

Clay  answered,  "  all  the  first  men  of  the  city  I  should  find, 
Would  shun  me  when  they  knew,  indeed,  this  challenge   I'd  de 
clined." 

"  And  has  the  world  gone  back  so  far  ?"  the  noble  wife  exclaimed, 
"  That  this,  the  vilest  practice,  the  dark  ages  e'er  contained, 
Must  be  resorted  to,  must  e'en  suspend  a  husband's  life, 
Because  he  would  defend  from  shame  the  honor  of  his  wife  ; 
Oh  !  Clay !   dost  thou  forget  so  far  the  lessons  of  thy  youth  ? 
Dare  you  wander  so  far  away  from  rectitude  and  truth  ? 
Could  you  ever  look  again  upon  your  aged  father's  brow  ? 
He  who  grew  grey  instructing  you  the  duties  that  you  owe 
The  world,  yourself,  your  fellow  man,  your  family,  your  God, 
Could  you  again  gaze  in  my  face,  when  I  knew  that  he  who  vowed 
To  love,  protect  and  cherish  me,  had  forgotten  his  poor  bride, 
And  wrecked  her  heart  to  satisfy  a  hollow  sense  of  pride  ; 
Putting  within  a  wretch's  hand,  the  life  his  God  had  given, 
Thus  jeopardizing  earthly  joys,  and  e'en  his  hopes  of  heaven  ? 
And  should  you  kill  him,  Clay  ;  oh !  Clay,  would  you  be  satisfied 
To  feel  a  wretch  all  unprepared,  by  your  rash  hand,  had  died  ; 
That  while  in  that  blest  bible,  you  are  taught  to  love  your  foe, 
Thou  hadst  with  stern  intention  sent  his  soul  to  endless  woe  ?" 

IX. 

"  That  is  all  true,"  he  answered,  "  but  the  time  and  place  have 

weight, 
And  to  die,  or  live  a  coward  called,  the  first  I'd  choose  a  fate." 

x. 

"  But  you  would  prove  yourself  the  last,  shouldst  fight  this  man," 
said  she, 


106  MINNIE  MONTGOMERY. 

"  Brutes  fight,  but  the  true  hero  it  did  ever  seem  to  me, 
Was  one  to  face  each  form  of  wrong,  would  do  a  nobler  deed, 
Would  never  a  few  lawless  minds  of  this  great  city  heed  ; 
But  go  right  onward  in  the  right,  like  an  arrow  on  its  way, 
Quite  indifferent  what  a  few  vile  natures  choose  to  say." 

XI. 

"  But,"  answered  Clay,  "  last  week  two  men,  law-makers,  learned, 
Their  sacred  honors  to  maintain  in  a  like  act  were  concerned." 

XII. 

"  Thus  showing  what  weak  worms  they  are,"  said  Minnie,  eagerly, 
"  And  do  you  for  the  deed  respect  them  more  ?"  continued  she, 
"Are  their  dreams  more  sweet   at  midnight,  their  thoughts  more 

free  by  day, 

Than  before  each  others  life  they  sought  ?   Do  not  believe  it,  Clay; 
'Tis  not  a  sign  of  courage  ;  I  believe  with  all  my  mind, 
They  are  men  who  to  sober  reason  are  so  completely  blind, 
They  would  unflinching  face  a  foe,  rather  than  comrades  jeers, 
But  who  would  pass  undeeded  by. a  child's  or  woman's  tears, 
TO  save  their  own  poor  lives,  in  an  hour  with  peril  rife, 
When  death  for  a  fixed  certainty,  was  leveling  at  a  life." 
With  earnest  words  she  strove  with  Clay,  till  Lewis  called  to  know 
What  answer  he  should  honored  be,  to  bear  back  to  his  foe. 

XIII. 

He  smiled  a  smile  of  low  contempt,  and  cutting  mockery, 
When  Montgomery  returned  to  him  his  negative  reply  ; 
And  Clay  could  scarce  endure  it,  but  when  his  fond  Minnie  smiled, 
And  blessed  him  for  the  noble  act,  his  soul  was  reconciled  ; 
For  her  love  was  more  to  him  than  the  bitterest  scorn  could  be, 
That  came  from  hearts  like  Lewis',  filled  with  shame  and  perfidy. 


CANTO   VIII. 


Months  in  their  heavy  circles,  now  had  swiftly  rolled  away, 
Since  Montgomery   had  been  entrapped  in   the   snares  of  Lady 

Gray; 

In  vain  with  all  a  woman's  art,  she  strove  to  bring  him  back, 
But  with  such  skill  and  coolness,  he  had  warded  each  attack, 
That  at  length  she  yielded  every  hope,  and  sunk  in  dark  despair, 
Her  form  drooped  'neath  the  burthen,  and  upon  her  features  fair, 
A  clammy   moisture  fell   at  times,  the  spray   from  death's  dread 

tide, 

Which  it  was  evident,  flowed  slow  and  cold,  and  near  her  side 
Her  husband  was  recalled,  and  when  he  came  and  saw  the  change, 
When  he  marked  her  hacking   cough,  and  saw,  alas !  the  hectic 

tinge, 

That  flitted  o'er  her  face  at  times,  then  left  it  snowy  white  ; 
When  he  saw  in  her  dark  lustrious  eyes  the  wild  unearthly  light, 
Which  consumption  ever  kindles,  he  felt  the  dreadful  blow, 
For  he  knew  his  cherished  idol  was  ere  long  to  leave  him  now. 
Oft  would  the  hot  tears  tremble  in  the  dying  woman's  eye, 
And  flow  down   her  sallow  cheek  as  the  anguished  long   drawn 

sigh, 


108  MINNIE  MONTGOMERY. 

Or  tender,  loving  accents,  of  her  husband's  voice,  she'd  hear, 
As  they  fell  in  tones  of  sorrow,  low  upon  her  ringing  ear. 
Day  after  day  rolled  slowly  by,  weak  and  more  weak  she  grew, 
Death's  finger-marks  upon  her  brow  more  plainly  shone  in  view, 
Till  at  length  a  dreadful  night  closed  down  in  darkness  and  in 

gloom, 

Around,  above  the  city  vast,  the  raging  blast  did  boom. 
The  wild  southeastern  tempest  fierce,  was  bursting  on  the  world, 
And  midnight's  sable  ensign,  over  nature  was  unfurled  ; 
While  Gray  beside  his  dying  wife,  his  still,  lone  watchings  kept, 
At  times  he  murmured  bitter  words,  at  times  he  wildly  wept; 
As  he  recalled  the  dreams  of  old,  he  half  repined  that  God 
Should  smite  him  with  so  bitter,  with  so  keen  a  stinging  rod. 
But  hush  !  silence,  those  sleeping  lips  are  moving  in  a  dream, 
Perhaps  her  mind  is  wandering  on  the  brink  of  that  cold  stream; 
The  wretched  man,  that  lone  and   still,  watched  by  the  sufferer's 

bed, 

Leaned  at  the  first  low  whisper  toward  the  dying  one  his  head. 
Alas !  what  makes  his  cheek  grow  pale,  his  hand  the  pillow  grasp, 
His  eyes  flash  forth  such  demon  fires,  his  breath  come  in  a  gasp. 
Oh !  'tis  another  name  than  his,  that  clogs  those  pale  lips  now ; 
Alas!  that  erring  woman  had  forgot  her  bridal  vow; 
There,  'mid  the  dark  and  fearful  hours  of  that  tempestuous  night, 
Just  when  her  parting  spirit  was  upon  the  eve  of  flight, 
She  forgot  the  vows  she  plighted  with  eternal  love  and  trust, 
And  called  upon  a  stranger's  name  in  that  hour  of  failing  dust. 
"  Oh  !  my  Montgomery,"  she  cried,  "  you  of  the  noble  brow, 
So  angel-like  in  form  and  face,  why  wilt  thou  leave  me  now  ; 
Oh !  turn  again  that  lightning  eye  once  more  in  love  on  me, 
Alas  !  'tis  but  a  vision  vain,"  sadly  continued  she. 


MINNIE    MONTGOMERY.  109 

Then  slow  she  ope'd  her  languid  eyes,  with  death  already  glazed, 

And  startled  at  her  husband's  look,  as  he  upon  her  gazed. 

"  Say,  where   is  your  dream   companion?"   coldly  and  stern,  he 

asked ; 

' '  Where  is  he  in  whose  love-lit  glance  you  just  so  sweetly  basked  V 
Where  is  he  of  the  glorious  soul,  the  high  and  noble  brow  ? 
So  angel-like  in  form  and  face,  pray  has  he  left  you  now  ?" 
Then  fainting,  with  the  chill  and  spray  of  death  upon  her  brow  ; 
With  the  silent,  shadowy  valley,  looming  darkly  into  view. 
The  gate  of  dread  eternity,  already  swinging  backr, 
To  usher  in  her  naked  soul,  on  its  mysterious  track, 
There  in  that  last,  sad  hour  of  life,  she  told  her  husband  all; 
Her  meeting  with  Montgomery,  his  triumph  and  her  fall ; 
How  she  met  him  when  her  young  heart  was  yearnmg  to  be  loved  y 
She  met  him  at  a  festival,  where  like  a  king  he  moved  ; 
How  he  talked  to  her  with  tongue  inspired,  in  words  so  deep  and' 

grand, 

That  her  heart  was  swayed  and  mesmerized,  as  by  a  magic  wand  ; 
Then  how  he  left  her  in  her  sin,  her  shame  and  her  distress, 
That  grief  and  wounded  pride,  not  desire,  did  on  her  press. 
But  she  did  not  blame  Montgomery,  but  call'd  the  deed  her  ownr 
And  confessed  that  for  his  love  her  heart  did  bleed   and   break 

alone ; 
That  he  would  not  have   approached  her,  had  she   not  smiled 

consent, 

And  to  his  dawning  passion,  all  her  glorious  charms  had  lent ; 
Then  she  prayed  her  husband's  pardon,  for  alt  her  deeds  of  crime, 
She  prayed,  alas !   so  earnestly,  in  that  last  hour  of  time, 
Till  finally  exhausted,  faint,  she  closed  her  eyes  and  slept, 
While  one  by  one,  the  shadows  dim  of  death  aroomd.  her  crept. 


110  MINNIE    MONTGOMERY. 

The  tempest  died  away  without,  the  surly  winds  went  down, 
And  silence  like  a  sepulchre,  fell  o'er  the  sleeping  town ; 
The  morning  star  came  silently  out  on  the  dapple  sky, 
And  anoii,  the  golden  sun  itself  rose  dripping  from  the  sea; 
A  ray  fell  on  the  features  of  the  dying  sufferer  there, 
She  seemed  to  feel  it  and  her  lips  moved  a  moment,  as  in  prayer. 
She  ope'd  her  glorious  eyes,  and  for  an  instant  they  did  blaze, 
As  when  in  love  they  sparkled  bright,  in  earlier,  happier  days ; 
And  then  the  thin  lids  slowly  drooped,  her  small  arms  grasped 

the  air, 

One  shudder,  one  convulsion  shook  that  frame,  so  high  and  fair ; 
And  then   Death's  fixed  expression  stern,    usurped  its  ghastly 

place, 

And  spread  its  pallid  outlines  all  o'er  the  sunken  face  ; 
The  wrung  and  suffering  spirit  from  its  slender  bond  had  fled, 
And  the  anguish-stricken   mourner,   watched  beside  the  beau 
teous  dead. 

ii. 
Dark  thoughts  like   raging  tempests,  swept  the   mind  of  Allen 

Gray, 
As  he  watched  the  hushed  and  soulless  form  that  cold  before  him 

lay; 

He  thought  of  the  bright  morning,  when  the  sacred  organ  pealed, 
As  to  plight  their  solemn  vows,  they  before  the  altar  kneeled  ; 
Down  the  aisle  of  the  Cathedral  reached  every  strain, 
And  swelling  up  its  echoes  rung  on  the  vaulted  roof  again. 
He  remembered  all  his  joys  of  heart,  how  satisfied  and  proud 
Were  his  feelings,  as  his   trembling  bride   her  heart's  affection 

vowed ; 
He  remembered  when  he  bore  her  in  her  beauty  to  his  home, 


MINNIE    MONTGOMERY.  Ill 

And   he  thought  no  cloud  of  agony   could   o'er  that  household 

come ; 

He  thought  of  his  blissful  dreams  by  the  camp-fire  in  the  night, 
When  the  world  was  hushed,  and  from  above,  smiled  down  the 

pure  stars  bright ; 

When  he  dreamed  from  dreadful  battle  he  had  successful  come, 
And  laid  his  trophies  at  the  feet  of  her,  his  angel  one ; 
When  she  smiled  upon  him,  with  her  smile  and   warmest  lustrous 

glance, 
Her  bright  eyes  filled  with  sunny  love  did  all  his  soul  entrance. 

in. 

How  terrible  the  change  !  now  was  dimmed  the  royal  eye, 
And  distorted  were  the  features  by  the  last  dread  agony  ; 
Those  cheeks  all  pale,  where  roses  once  had  loved  to  bloom  and 

grow  ; 

Those  lips  once  pouting  for  a  kiss,  compressed  and  silent  now ; 
While  her  dying  tongue  assured  him  that  the  heart  he  thought 

his  owr, 

Had  long  since  from  its  chambers  fair  his  image  rent  and  torn. 
As  thoughts  like  raging  billows  along  his  memory  swept, 
Upon  the  downy  couch  he  bowed  and  silent,  helpless  wept  ; 
And  with  his  bitter  sobbings,  came  wild  curses  on  the  head 
Of  him  who  had  his  idol  sweet,  from  virtue's  temple  led; 
But  he  could  not  think  one  harsh  thought  of  the  sleeper  by  his 

side, 

He  could  remember  her  only  as  his  early  chosen  bride ; 
Not  one  upbraiding  word,  not  one  reproach  had  he, 
For  her  his  cherish'd  idol,  his  fond  heart's  divinity ; 
But  awful  was  the  vengeance-vow  on  the  man  that  caused  his  woe, 
At  first  he  thought  to  smite  him  with  one  fierce  tremendous  blow ; 


112  MINNIE    MONTGOMERY. 

But  bis  soldier  spirit  soon  rebelled  against  so  stern  a  plan, 

And  then  he  thought  to  meet,  him  face  to  face,  and  man  to  man. 

Not  doubting  that  his  own  skill  would  excel  his  enemy, 

And  he  thought  his  last  joy  then  would  be  to  see  the  proud  man 

die ; 

And  he  also  thought  e'en  should  he  fall,  how  little  was  the  worth 
Of  a  life,  when  it  was  cheated  of  all  its  joys  on  earth  ; 
So  he  wrote  to  Clay  Montgomery,  a  challenge  plain,  but  brief, 
And  o'er  his  dead  wife  bent  again,  in  unavailing  grief. 

IV. 

A  long  procession  wended  sad  its  slow  way  to  a  grave, 
The  sable  plume  above  the  hearse  all  mournfully  did  wave  ; 
Gay  carriages  were  following,  and  many  a  prancing  steed, 
Foamed  in  their  rich  caparisons,  at  the  snail-like  funeral  speed ; 
'Twas  the  cortege  of  the  rich  and  proud,  for  even  they  must  die, 
When  in  the  gloom  death's  thunders  roll,  the  strongest  must 

obey. 

A  single  mourner  looked  in  gloom,  and  sadness  from  that  train, 
The  boundlessness  of  his  heart's  woe,  what  language  can  contain; 
'Tis  hard  to  see  a  friend  we  love  waste  with  a  fell  disease, 
And  bitter  are  the  tears  we  shed  when  the  parted  spirit  flees, 
And  leaves  a  form  we  have  caressed  oft  times  in  happier  days, 
A  loathsome  and  unsightly  corpse  mouldering  e'en  while  we  gaze; 
But  these  are  griefs  that  all  who  dwell  upon  the  earth  must  bear, 
Griefs  that  the  happiest  may  expect,  but  which  time  may  repair. 
But  oh !  who  knows  the  bitterness  that  surges  in  the  breast 
Of  man,  when  he  is  scorned  by  the  idol  he  caressed ; 
Who  knows  the  horrid  phantoms  that  are  in  a  soul  arrayed, 
When  all  its  boundless  wealth  of  love  is  scorned,    despised,  be 
trayed. 


MINNIE    MONTGOMERY.  113 

V. 

Kind  friends  drew  near  to  Allen  Gray,  and  told  him  of  his  wife, 

How  beautiful  she  was  on  earth,  how  blameless  was  her  life ; 

And  when  he  turned  away  from  them  in  utter  wretchedness, 

They  said — Alas !  how  terribly  his  sorrows  on  him  press. 

No  wonder — for  she  was  indeed  so  beautiful  and  pure, 

No  w  onder  that  her  death  doth  make  a  wound  too  deep  to  cure. 

VI. 

The  sun  was  slow  descending  on  the  western  heaven's  verge, 
Around  the  narrow  grave  they  stood,  to  chaunt  the  funeral  dirge. 
The  coffin  slowly  settled  low  within  the  dreary  cell, 
The  sods  fell  heavy  on  its  lid,  that  direst  funeral  knell ; 
The  simple  prayer  was  murmured,  the  benediction  given, 
When  the  sorrowing  hours  of  time  were  passed,  that  all  might 

meet  in  heaven. 

Then  all  forsook  the  cemetery,  and  Allen  Gray  alone, 
With  heart  chords  doubly  parted,  sought  sorrowingly  his  home. 

VII. 

In  his  library  Montgomery  sat,  to  a  student  hallowed  ground ; 
Books,  manuscripts  and  drawings,  lay  in  rich  profusion  round ; 
He  was  poring  o'er  a  picture,  his  lost  boy's  miniature, 
And  on  his  lips  a  blessing  hung,  as  a  low  knock  smote  the  door ; 
He  gently  rose  and  opened  it,  and  beheld  a  stranger  there, 
He  politely  bade  him  enter,  courteous  a  seat  drew  near. 
The  man  then  told  his  mission,  said  he  bore  from  Allen  Gray 
A  note,  extending  at  the  time,  the  missive  brief  toward  Clay. 
Clay  quickly  wrote  "  accepted,"  named  at  once  the  spot  and  hour, 
Said  weapons  should  be  rifles,  he  had  more  faith  in  their  power. 
The  man  then  from  the  house  withdrew,  and  Montgomery  hast'ly 
wrote 


114  MINNIE    MONTGOMERY. 

To  the  gentle,  pure  souled  Minnie,  a  brief  but  loving  note  ; 

He  told  her  he  had  slighted  been,  by  many  friends  of  late, 

Since  it  was  known  a  challenge  he  had  refused  to  meet ; 

That  it  was  better  far  to  die  than  "be  a  coward  called, 

That  dishonor  was  more  dreadful  than  to  be  by  death  empall'd, 

But  he  added,  how  bitterly,  how  intensely  he  deplored 

The  necessity  of  doing  that  he  ever  had  abhorred  ; 

That  he  never  would,  had  not  of  late,  there  grown  upon  his  breast 

A  feeling  of  such  heaviness,  such  pressure  and  unrest. 

He  could  no  longer  bear  it,  that  on  his  troubled  soul 

A  mountain  wave  of  bitterness  did  ever  break  and  roll. 

Till. 

And  then  in  measures  frank  and  brief,  he  told  her  of  his  sin, 
How  a  wanton  far  from  duty's  path,  his  erring  soul  did  win ; 
How  after  months  of  lonely  toil  in  the  deep  mountain's  bed, 
With  ample  purse  and  bounding  health,  once   more  with  men  he 

trod 

The  pavements  of  a  city,  and  a  being  grand  and  fair, 
Hose  like  a  sweet  dream  beautiful  before  his  vision  there ; 
Who  turned  the  wealth  of  all  her  charms,  his  eager  soul  to  lure, 
Inspired  by  every  matchless  grace  that  beauty  can  secure  ; 
His  lips  her  poisened  wine  did  quaff,  her  songs  were  in  his  ear, 
So  loud  and  sweet  that  conscience'  voice  no  longer  he  could  hear, 
And  for  a  while  he  wandered,  led  by  passion,  not  by  love, 
For  that  was  ever  fixed  her  own  beyond  change  or  remove  ; 
And  when  at  length  he  wakened  from  the  dream  that  wrapt  his 

mind, 

He  waked  in  utter  loathing  of  himself,  by  self  to  find, 
And  the  creature  who  had  lured  him,  when  he  left  her,  pined 

away, 


MINNIE   MONTGOMERY,  115 

And  when  her  yearning  spirit  was  just  parting  from  its  clay, 

Then  with  the  last  throbs  of  her  heart,  she  free  confession  made, 

And  that  her  husband  might  forgive,  in  agony  she  prayed; 

And  now  this  angry  husband  did  for  vengeance  <5ry, 

And  he  should  meet  him  calmly  for  he  trembled  not  to  die ; 

And  prayed  she  might  forgive  him  when  his  life  he  should  give  up, 

In  answer  for  the  bliss  he  quaffed  from  a  forbidden  cup, 

And  finally  closed  his  letter  with  words  of  tenderest  love, 

And  expressed  a  hope  to  meet  "her 'in  a  better  world  above. 

Then  closing  the  letter  he  concealed  it  in  his  vest, 

And  sat  down  to  calm  the  passions  throbbing  wildly  in  his  breast. 

IX, 

Ere  long  the  absent  wife  returned,  and  through  the  evening  hours/ 
Clay,  to  hide  his  heart's  emotion,  exerted  all  his  powers; 
And  well  did  he  conceal  from  his  unsuspecting  wife, 
The  cloud  that  black  and  lurid  hung  o'er  his  very  life ; 
(For  with  his  rifle,  Allen  Gray  could  stop  the  bounding  deer, 
Or  arrest  the  squirrel's  chirpings  in  the  tree  top  high  and  sere.) 
Sweet  was  their  conversation,  they  were  talking  of  the  past, 
A  long  bright  path  of  happiness,  with  so  few  clouds  overcast ; 
Of  the  blessed  destiny  that  brought  their  souls  to  meet  in  one, 
Even  as  two  rivers  meet,  then  in  one  channel  run ; 
Little  did  the  fond  wife  know  of  the  thoughts  that  s^ept  the  brain, 
The  thoughts  of  mighty  agony,  of  racking,  crashing  pain 
Of  that  husband's  mind ;  she  noticed  not  the  tender  words  he  spoke, 
Subdued  and  almost  solemn,  or  the  earnest  loving  look  ; 
She  heeded  not  while  singing  to  him  his  favorite  song, 
How  the  great  tears  down  his  sunburnt  cheeks  did  hot  and  copious 

throng. 
$ot  that  he  feared  the  meeting,  his  soul  stood  high  and  proud, 


Jl£  MINNIE    MONTGOMERY. 

For  himself  he  viewed  all  tranquilly  the  lowering  thunder  cloud; 

But  when  he  saw  his  lovely  wife  so  joyous  and  serene, 

And  thought  of  all  the  changes  sad  the  morning  might  convene  ; 

When  he  pictured  her  agony  as  she  bent  above  him  dead, 

No  wonder  that  the  path  before  seemed  with  sharp  thorns  o'er- 

spread. 
All  the  hours  of  that  hushed  starry  night,  Montgomery  passed  in 

thought, 

No  rest  the  heavy  moments  t©  his  weary  senses  brought ; 
While  the  dear  creature  by  his  side  in  innocence  reposedT 
Unconscious  that  her  husband's  heart  a  hell  of  grief  enclosed, 


Oft  times  in  peaceful,  blissful  dreams,  she  murmured  his  loved 

name,  • 

And  at  each  sound  his  very  soul  seemed  consuming  with  flame  ; 
So  dreadful  was  his  agony,  that  he  almost  blessed  the  glow 
Of  the  morning,  as  its  crimson  beams  on  the  earth  began  to  flow. 
With  the  first  beam  Montgomery  from  his  soft  couch  gently 

slipped, 

And  noiselessly  and  hastily  for  the  conflict  he  equipped ; 
Took  the  letter  from  his  bosom,  laid  it  softly  on  the  stand, 
Then  softly  stole  back  to  the  bed,  took  the  sweet  sleeper's  hand, 
With  love  unutterable  gazed  on  the  angel  slumbering  there, 
Till  the  big  tears  from  his  vision  shut  out  the  being  fair  ; 
Then  on  the  pale  and  languid  lips,  he  pressed  a  warm  adieu, 
And  seizing  on  his  trusty  gun,  from  the  apartment  quick  with 
drew. 

He  sought  alone  the  field  of  strife,  for  he  had  a  purpose  high. 
Which  he  resolved  to  execute,  should  he  survive  or  die ; 


MINNIE  MONTGOMERY.  Ill 

He  found  his  foe  already  there,  and  with  him  many  more. 
Among  the  the  throng  was  Leonard,  who  fierce  and  scoffing  swore 
There  was  no  hazard,  challenging  such  like  Montgomery, 
With  form  t©  awe  old  Hercules,  without  soul  to  scare  a  fly. 

XI. 

Soon  they  were  stationed  -on  the  ground,  their  weapons  firm  in 

hand, 

Two  forms' of  proudest  manhood,  lofty,  fair,  sublimely  grand; 
The  sttn  that  on  their  rifles  gleamed  was  dimmM  beneath  the  ray 
Of  fires  that  sliot  from  their  bold  eyes;  sternly  they  stood  at  bay. 
Around,  all  Nature  seemed  at  peace,  no  zephyrs  stirred  the  air, 
No  cloud  sailed  o'er  the  heavens   clear,  to  shade   their  outlines 

fair, 
And  flowers  were  blooming  round  them,  twas  a  morn  of  flowery 

May, 
And  in  the  distance  tranquil  slept  the  blue  waves  of  the  bay. 


The  word  was  slowly  given,  each  answered  sternly,  "  ready," 
Each  raised  his  weapon  to  his  face  without  one  nerve  unsteady ; 
•"  One,"  from  the  second's  white  lips  fell,  and  on  the  morning  air 
Gray's  rLfle  .rang  out  clear  and  shrill ;  the  sound  awoke  a  hare, 
Which  from  its  covert  frightened  rushed.;  the  eagle  eye  of  Clay 
Beheld  the  frightened  quadruped  as  it  leaped  swift  away, 
And  ere  the  second  ceased  to  count,  he  brought  his  gun  to  bear, 
It  flashed  and  rung,  and  the  poor  beast  gave  a  wild  bound  in  the  air, 
And  stretched  in  death  its  quivering  limbs,  a  hundred  yards  or 

mere, 

From  where  Montgomery  quiet  gazed  off  on  the  flowery  shore. 
Some  praised  the  skillful,  wondrous  deed,  while  others  in  surprise, 


US  MINNIE   MONTGOMERY. 

Awe  struck,  upon  Montgomery  fixed  their  wondering  spell-bound 

eyes. 

But  Gray  was  yet  unsatisfied,  though  all  could  see  most  plain, 
That  half  the  skill  that  stopped   the  hare,  would  have  stretched 

him  with  the  slain. 

Still  he  could  not  forgive  the:  man  that  his  heart's  love  had  un 
wound,. 

And  stern  he  bade  again  prepare  far  a  decisive  round  ; 
Again  they  took  their  stations,  and  again  Gray's  rifle  woke 
The  echoes  of  the  distance  as  it  on  the  still  air  broke. 
That  moment  from  the  ocean's  brink  a  lordly  eagle  rose, 
In  his  talons  a  huge  serpent  writhed  in  his  dying  throes  ; 
As  they  reached  the  spot  of  air  above  Montgomery's  head,, 
He  aimed  his  trusty  rifle  up  and  its  leaden  message  fled  ; 
The  eagle's  shrill  exulting  shriek  died  plaintive  in  his  throat, 
For  a  moment  the  fearless  bird  seemed  on  the  air  to  float, 
And  then  the  proud  head  slowly  drooped,  the  strong  wings  ceased 

to   beat, 

Rent  through  and  through,  serpent  and  bird  fell  at  the  marksman's 
feet. 

XIIL 

'Midst  the  Sierra's crags  -that  morn  some  eaglets  shieked'  in  vain, 
No  parent  bird  returned  to  them  with  trophy  newly  slain, 
For  Montgomery's  dreadful  rifle  had  stopped  the  bold  bird's  flight, 
And  the   young  eaglets  elamorings  were  stilled  by  death  that 

night. 

XIT. 

Gray  gloomy  drew  near  to  the  spot,  gazed  on  the  dying  pair  ; 
The  serpent  in  its  hideousness,  the  eagle  bold  and  fair. 
Then,  turned  him  to.  Montgomery,.  "It  is  enough,"  ke 


MINNIE    MONTGOMERY.  119 

Every  life  you  aim  at  is  numbered  with  the  dead ; 
And  slow  and  sad  he  turned  away,  and  left  the  field  of  strife, 
Almost  unhappy  that  he  still  possessed  a  worthless  life. 
Soon  he  rejoined  his  regiment  to  seek  in  war's  dread  tide, 
To  drown  the  dreadful  heart-ache  that  in  his  bosom  preyed. 

xv, 

As  the  crimson  morning  o'er  the  world  its  thousand  bright  beams 

shed, 

Some  wandering  rays  a  lattice  pierced  and  fell  on  Minnie's  bed, 
And  woke  the  beauteous  sleeper  from  a  dream  of  peace  and  love, 
And  as  her  eyes  unconsciously  did  round  her  chamber  move, 
She,  startled,  saw  the  letter  with  its  superscription  plain, 
And  bounding  from  the  couch  with  a  thought  of  coining  pain, 
She  read  until  her  trembling  limbs  refused  her  weight  to  bear, 
And  she  fainting  fell  upon  the  floor  in  agony  of  prayer ; 
And  save  the  prayer  upon  her  lips  and  sobs  that  wrung  her  breast, 
No  movement  stirred  her  beauty  as  the  carpet  Low  she  pressed; 
In  tears  she  supplicated  God  her  husband's  sins  forgive, 
And  grant  that  from  the  conflict  he  might  return  and  live ; 
And  when  unscathed  that  husband  came,  still  in  her  night  array, 
With  cheeks  deformed  with  scalding  tears,  she  on  the  hard  floor 

lay; 

And  when  he  raised  her  gently  up,  she  hung  upon  his  breast, 
And  wound  his  neck  with  her  white  arms,  and  cheek  'gainst  cheek 

was  presse-a ; 
And  when  he  whispered,  "can'st  forgive?"  she  fondly  kissed  his 

brow, 
And  raised  her  eyes  to  heaven,  and  said,  "Oh!  G.od,  I  thank 

,thee  ROW 


120  MINNIE    MONTGOMERY. 

And  as  my  heart  doth  now  lorgive,  may  I  forgiveness  feel, 
For  all  the  sins  thy  record  book  against  me  doth  reveal. 

XVI. 

Clay  Montgomery  is  a  wiser  man  than  before  his  trials  came, 

And  he  looks  no  more  for  happiness  beyond  his  hearthstone  fane  ; 

And  Minnie,  the  pure  being  that  nought  could  turn  in  life 

From  virtue's  holy  pathway,  is  still  the  faithful  wife. 

With  charms  ineffable  entwined,  an  angel  could  not  be, 

In  the  bright  palaces  of  heaven  from  every  fault  more  free  ; 

Her  smile  still  lights  Montgomery's  home,  and  from  its  heavenly 

ray, 
For  higher  happiness  he  seeks  no  more  to  go  astray. 

XVII. 

In  the  Asylum  for  the  mad,  a  strong  man  may  be  seen, 

His  carriage  still  is  manly,  and  his  eye  has  youth's  bright  sheen ; 

And  he  calls  the  bars  that  bind  his  cell,  each  one  a  wedge  of  gold, 

And  he  tells  you  in  a  whisper,  they  are  worth  a  sum  untold ; 

And  counts  his  fingers  with  a  smile,  and  murmurs  three  per  cent, 

And  says  on  good  securities,  he  has  every  penny  lent. 

Then  in  some  musty  papers,  that  strew  his  prison  floor, 

For  hours  he  will  crouch  eager  down,  and  o'er  them  proudly  pore  ; 

And  talking  strangely  all  the  time  of  mortgage,  bond  and  deed, 

And  curses  that  his  interest  remains  so  long  unpaid. 

The  keeper  of  his  dismal  cell,  will  tell  you  that  his  name 

Is  Leonard,  that  he  once  possessed  a  fortune,  influence,  fame, 

But  that  in  San  Francisco  by  the  failure  of  a  bank, 

And  a  mighty  conflagration,  his  ample  fortune  sank ; 

And  by  the  shock  his  nerves  received,  his  reason  fled  its  throne, 

Nor  can  by  any  medicine  his  mind  regain  its  tone. 


MINNIE  MONTGOMERY.  121 

But  ever  through  his  wandering  eye,  fleet  golden  visions  bright, 
And  for  ever  is  he  following  the  sweet  enchanting  sight. 

XVIII. 

But  I  weary  of  this  tedious  tale,  unhappy  was  its  birth, 

It  is  a  midnight  offspring,  and  fancy  brought  it  forth ; 

It  has  lulled  my  troubled  spirit  in  hours  when  others  sleep, 

When  the  giddy  one  loves  best  to  dance,  the  mourner  best  to 

weep; 

And  now  'tis  done,  the  joy  is  past,  'twere  better  it  should  rest 
In  an  eternal  slumber  upon  oblivion's  breast, 
Like  an  infant  that  just  saw  the  light,  then  ceased  the  pulses  throe, 
Just  when  the  little  heart  first  throbbed,  the  blood  first  learned 

to  flow. 

XIX. 

Reader !  if  thou  has  struggled  through  its  broken  measures  all, 
Watched  virtue's  certain  triumph,  and  error's  certain  fall, 
If  in  these  broken  numbers,  thou  hast  found  one  single  strain 
That  pleased  you,  I  am  quite  content,  my  task  is  not  in  vain  ; 
And  now  that  it  is  ended,  with  the  morning  star  in  view, 
I  throw  the  foundling  to  the  world.     Adieu !  my  child,  Adieu  ! 


MY  SISTER, 


i. 
Oh  !  Sister,  can  it  be  that  them  art  dead  ? 

Will  I  ne'er  see  thy, gen  tie  face  again  ? 
Is  the  cold  grave,  indeed,  thy  only  bed? 

Or  is  this  tale  some  vision  of  my  brain? 

ii. 
Would  that  it  were ;  but  no,  alas !  'tis  true  ; 

Death's  icy  fingers  touched  the  tender  clay, 
And  memory  whispers  when  I  think  of  you, 

The  flower  has  sweetly  bloomed,  and  passed  away. 

in. 
Strange  world  of  change,  I  left  thee  a  glad  bride, 

Far  in  my  native  land,  sweet  Genesee  ; 
A  peerless  group  e'en  in  that  land  of  pride, 

Mingled  to  make  thee  joyous  company, 

IV. 

'Midst  noble  men  and  maidens  passing  fair ; 

'Mid  banquet  joy,  wit,  happiness  and  glee; 
Where  music's  sweetest  strains  filled  all  the  air, 

Sister,  I  bade  my  last   "  Good-bye  "  to  thee. 


MY   SISTER.  123 

V. 

Thou  wert  attired  in  thy  rich  bridal  dress, 

Thou  stood'st  full  in  the  lamps  resplendent  light, 

Thou  hadst  upon  thy  cheek  a  loveliness, 

Almost  divine,  as  soft  thou  saidst  "  Good  night.'* 

VI. 

Good  night — we  hardly  thought  it  was  the  last ; 

I  turned  my  eyes  with  joy  to  this  far  West, 
But  even  then  consumptions  fangs  were  fast 

Plucking  the  life  drops  from  thy  fragile  breast* 

VII. 

The  world  has  lost  its  beauties  to  me  now, 
All  seems  so  sad,  so  desolate,  so  drear ; 

How  coldly  frowns  the  mountain's  icy  brow, 
How  solemn  sound  the  winds  upon  my  ears. 

VIII. 

For  when  again  I  trace  the  ocean  back, 
Thy  voice  a  welcome  will  no  longer  sound, 

And  the  deep  sadness  of  each,  face  will  speak, 
And  say  the  church  yard  has  another  mound. 

IX. 

But  there  is  comfort  still.    In  dreams  I  see 

Thee  decked  in  fairer  robes  than  those  ye  wore 

When  I  last  gazed  up  in  thy  loving  eye, 

In  that,  my  native  land,  sweet,  hallowed  shore. 

x. 

For  thou  art  standing  by  the  great  "  white  throne  ;" 
Whose  light  doth  flood  with  glory  that  fair  land  ; 


MY  SISTER. 

Death's  stream  is  crossed,  the  goal  of  bliss  is  won, 
Thy  harp  is  tuned,  thy  crown  is  in  thy  hand. 

XI. 

No  longer  sad,  lest  from  the  gorgeous  gate 

Of  Heaven,  thou  see'st  the  sorrowing  ones  below  ; 

A  husband,  broken-hearted  at  thy  fate, 
A  sister's  burning  tears  that  ceaseless  flow, 

XII. 

An  infant  pining  for  a  mother's  love, 

A  father,  bow'd  by  sorrows  and  by  years ; 

And  proud,  stern  brothers,  whose  heart's  feelings  move 
In  deeper,  purer  channels  than  their  tears. 

XIII. 

May  be,  thou  see'st  me  wandering  here  alone^ 
At  least,  I'll  think  so,  in  temptation's  hour, 

And  may  the  visions,  a  sweet  warning  come, 
To  shield  my  spirit  from  the  tempter's  power, 


NEW  YEAR  IN  CALIFORNIA, 

Januarj  1st.  1856, 

1. 

I  watched  for  long,  long  starry  hours  last  eve  a  wondrous  sight, 
All  fearful  did  its  out-lines  gleam  upon  the  disk  of  night ; 
Would  I  had  language  adequate  to  call  back  half  the  scene, 
As  on  the  hushed  night's  solemn  brow  its  lineaments  did  gleam, 

ii. 

UI  stood  'twixt  the  eternities,"  the  future  and  the  past, 
By  the  ancient  august  portal,  that  divides  their  ages  vast ; 
O'er  the  earth  and  sky,  the  midnight  her  banners  did  unfurl, 
And  clouds  and  gloom,  and  darkness,  enchained  the  slumbering 
world. 

in. 

As  I  gazed  upon  that  portal,  it  slowly  backward  swung, 
And  the  grating  of  its  ponderous  hinge  seemed  like  a  death  knell 

rung; 

And  lo !  a  vast  procession,  I  saw  advancing  near, 
Bearing  upon  a  sable  hearse,  the  dead  and  silent  year. 

IV. 

There  was  Spring  the  fair  and  rosy,  now  with  withered  flowers 
enwreathed, 


126  HEW  YEAR  IN  CALIFORNIA. 

There  was  Summer,   with   its  waving  grains,  all  cut  and   closely 

sheaved ; 

There  were  Autumn's  golden  fruits  all  sunken  and  decayed, 
And  in  a  enowy  shroud  was  Winter's  form  arrayed. 


Alas !  how  sad  and  vast  a  wreck  was  on  that  funeral  car, 
The  wreck  by  sea  and  land,  by  pestilence  arrd  war -, 
The  blood  from  many  a  battle  field  was  trickling  from  that  bier, 
And  it  mingled  as  it  fell  with  many  a  mourner's  tear. 

VI. 

There  were  ten  thousand  gallant  souls,  the  goal  o'ertook  at  sea, 
There  were  ten  times  ten  thousand  more  that  loved  the  wine  cup'e 

glee, 

An  hundred  tiiires  ten  thousand  more  had  fled  from  battle's  rage, 
And  ten  times  ten   hundred  thousand  more  came  from   disease 

and  age. 

VII. 

A  myriad  host  of  pallid  brows,  that  when  the  year  had  birth, ' 
Looked  forward  toward  the  titles  and  honors  of  the  earth  ; 
Alas  !  forever  passed  away,  in  utter  silence  lost, 
Wrapped  in  death's  icy  mantle,  sealed  by  his  dreadful  frost. 

VIII. 

And  there  were  broken  hearts  and  vows  all  unredeemed, 
And  high  resolves  unfinished,  how  ghastly  sad  they  seemed, 
And  the  ghosts  of  blissful  dreams  stared  pale  from  off  that  bier, 
And  the  skeleton  of  golden  hopes,  stood  cold  and  empty  near. 


NEW  YEAR  IN  CALIFORNIA.  127 

IX. 

And  there   were  deeds  whose  doers   sought,  no  praise   from  this 

cold  world, 

Deeds  of  self  sacrifice  and  love,  upon  that  death  car  hurled ; 
No  eye  beholds  them  save  the  one  that  ' '  sees  the  sparrow  fall," 
And  the  recording  angels,    whose  book  contains  them  all. 


On  passed  the  long  funereal  train,  and  gazing  do^vn  the  gloom, 
I  saw  beyond  that  portal's  arch,  the  trophies  of  that  tomfr; 
The  charncl  house  of  bygone  years,  six  thousand  moulder  there, 
With  all  their  joys  and  sorrows,  their  triumphs  and  despair. 

XI. 

Empires  and  kingdoms  there  are  laid,  there  cunning  arts  are  lost, 
And  'midst  the  hideous  wreck,  I  saw  in  wild  confusion  tossed, 
The  skeleton  of  such  high  thoughts,  that  had  they  found  a  tongue 
On  earth,  they  would  till  Time's  last  throb,  have   down  the  ages 
rung. 

XII. 

And  I  saw  a  gloomy  spectre  in  those  realms  of  endless  night, 
Beyond  it  through  the  awful  void,  there  shone  no  ray  of  light ; 
'Twaa  cruel,  cold  Forgetfulness,  spreading  her  mildewed  pall, 
O'er  unremembered  thoughts  and  deeds,  and  arts,  and  glories  all. 

XIII. 

As  passed  the  dread  procession,  I  heard  a  plaintive  ery, 
"Twas  Time,  bewailing  his  last  child,  that  'neath  that  pall  did  lie, 
And  when  the  midnight  ceased  to  toll,  the  mighty  train  had  past, 
And  the  heavy  portal  closed  again  upon  the  ruins  vast. 


128  NEW  YEAR  IN  CALIFORNIA. 

XIV. 

I  looked,  and  lo  !  the  glad  "  New  Year"  I  saw,  fresh  robed  draw 

nigh, 
And  her  happy  welcome  clogged  each  lip  and  gladdened  every 

eye; 

The  young  sprang  to  meet  her  with  merry  bounding  feet, 
And  the  old  rejoiced  that  they  another  year  could  greet. 

xv. 

A  year  gone  by,  how  swiftly  its  measures  have  been  toll'd, 
How  swiftly  fled  the  moments  past,  though  precious  all  as  gold  ; 
Close  on  the  morning's  splendor,  comes  the  evening's  setting  sun, 
And  the  careless  world  scarce  heeds  when  a  day  or  year  is  done. 

XVI. 

What  is  a  year  ?  when  past,  'tis  a  step  down  toward  the  tomb. 

Another  shadow  closing  o'er  this  dark  veil  of  gloom  ; 

It  is  a  life-chord  parted,  and  when  it  yields  away, 

There  broken  is  another  link  in  the  chain  that  binds  our  stay. 

XVII 

How  many  links  are  left  ?   ye  aged,  dost  thou  know, 
Ye  with  the  tottering  steps,  dim  eye,  and  wrinkled  brow  ; 
With  pulses  slow,  and  bodies  bent,  to  pass  the  portal  dread, 
That  divides  the  two  eternities,  the  living  and  the  dead? 

XVIII. 

How  many  links,  ye  bridegroom,  with  that  confiding  one, 
Who  leans  upon  you  willing,  and  happy,  to  be  won  ; 
Ye  whose  hearts  by  loves  sweet  fetters  are  now  so  sweetly  bound, 
Who  have  waited  for  this  New  Year,   e'er  the  last  wild   hope  be 
crown'd  ? 


NEW  YEAR  IN  CALIFORNIA.  129 

XIX. 

Canst  say  how  many  links  are  left,  ye  maiden,  canst  thou  tell, 
Thou,  whose  feet  are  bounding  to  that  music's  ebb  and  swell  ? 
Say ,  is  it  in  this  year  that  lustrous  eye  shall  fade, 
Those  features  fair,  grow  pallid,  and  disease  that  form  invade  ? 

xx. 

Say,  shall  thy  spirit's  tenement,  when  comes  again  this  day, 

Be  still  a  beauteous  thing  of  earth,  or  have  gone  the  untried  way? 

Alas !  there  is  no  answer  ;  man  rushes  reckless  on, 

Till  the  chords  of  life  are  broken,  and  the  vital  shadow  gone. 
10 


A  DREAM. 


i. 
'Twas  night,  and  tired,  I  sought  to  rest, 

The  day's  harsh  toil  was  done, 
The  noon  of  night  had  long  been  past, 

The  morrow  nigh  begun  ; 
And  soon,  o'er  ray  senses  crept 
A  blissful  langor,  and  I  slept. 

ii. 
But  visions  strange  and  beautiful, 

Did  round  me  hovering  come  ; 
And  from  their  phantom  lips  there  fell 

The  words,  "  Come  home,  come  home  ;" 
"Come  back  to  those  that  love  thee  dear," 
They  whispered  in  my  startled  ear. 

in. 
And  then,  behold !  a  distant  land 

Rose  up  before  me  fair ; 
Its  outlines,  though  on  every  hand, 

Familiar  did  appear ; 
And  soon  I  knew  I  gazed  upon 
My  early  and  beloved  home. 


A  DREAM.  131 

IV. 

I  saw  the  old  house,  as  it  looked 

The  morn  I  came  way  ; 
The  pear  tree  with  its  branches  crooked, 

Where  loved  the  winds  to  play; 
The  harvest  fields  with  grain  were  white, 
It  was  a  sweet  and  hallowed  sight. 

v. 
Upon  the  broad  piazza  stood, 

My  aged,  beloved  sire  ; 
His  heart  has  yet  its  youth's  warm  blood, 

His  eye  its  manhood's  fire ; 
Although  his  years  do  more  than  span 
The  number  heaven  allotted  man. 


He  stood,  his  hand  upon  his  brow, 

That  brow  so  high  and  fair, 
His  silver  locks  did  round  it  flow, 

I  gazed,  until  a  tear 
Gushed  up,  and  blinded  either  eye, 
"  Why  don't  he  come  ?"  I  heard  him  cry. 

VII. 

I  saw  my  sister,  silent,  pale, 

Stroll  up  the  garden  path ; 
The  gorgeous  flowers  upon  the  gale 

Breathed  sweet,  their  scented  breath ; 
And  as  she  wandered  thus  alone, 
She  murmured,  "  would  that  he  might  come. 


132  A  DREAM. 

VIII. 

I  saw  his  steed,  my  brother  rein, 
In  his  old  boisterous  mood ; 

I  saw  the  charger's  waving  mane, 
His  flanks  all  foam  and  blood. 

The  rider  and  the  fretted  steed, 

It  seemed  reality,  indeed. 

IX. 

I  saw,  I  hardly  here  can  tell, 
All  that  the  dream  did  see ; 

One  thing  of  many  I'll  recall, 
A  tender  theme  to  me  ; 

And  yet  I'm  half  constrained  to  keep 

The  subject  in  my  memory  deep. 

x. 

It  was  a  modest,  graceful  form, 

An  eye  of  azure  blue, 
A  brow  where  clustered  charm  on  charm, 

Till  as  I  gazed  there  grew 
A  thought  within  me,  that  my  eyes 
Had  caught  a  glimpse  of  Paradise. 

XI. 

A  sea  of  jetty  tresses  fell 

Upon  her  neck  of  snow, 
I  saw  her  bosom  heave  and  swell, 

I  saw  her  soft  cheeks  glow, 
I  heard  her  sweet  lips  plaintive  say, 
"Why  stays  he  thus. so  long  away  ?" 


A  DREAM.  133 


XII. 

I  strove  the  fairy  hand  to  clasp, 

To  tell  her  I  was  near ; 
The  phantom  fingers  fled  my  grasp, 

I  wakened  up  to  hear 
Life's  weary  enginery  roll  on, 
Not  yet,  not  yet,  may  I  go  home. 


FOURTH  OF  JULY,  1855. 


I. 

Where  Maine's  dark  forests  shadowy  wave,  far  in  the  cool,  fair 

north, 

Where  old  Penobscot  in  his  strength,  to  seaward  rushes  forth ; 
This  morn  the  wonted  labor,  the  hum  of  life  is  still, 
The  stalwart  woodman  leaves  his  axe,  hushed  is  the  mightly  mill; 
But  'midst  those  dim,  deep  forests,  and  by  the  slumbering  lakes, 
From  ten  thousand  lips  this  morning,  a  shout  of  gladness  breaks ; 
For  Freedom's  anniversary  day,  again  to  man  is  given, 
By  Heroes  blood,  'tis  sanctified,  the  rarest  gift  of  heaven, 

u. 

From  Massachusett's  classic  shrine,  from  Plymouth's  holy  rock, 
From  Concord  and  from  Bunker  Hill,  where  first  the  war  notes 

broke  ; 
From  New  Hampshire's  granite  mountains,  from  Bennington's 

proud  height, 

This  morning  one  vast  echo  swells,  and  deepens  in  its  might, 
For  those  people  stand  upon  the  soil,  where  their  stern  sires  chose 

to  die, 
Rather  than  see  oppression's  chains,  endarken  all  the  sky. 

in. 

Where  Hudson's  grand,  majestic  stream  rolls  down  amidst  its  hills, 
Where  Niagara's  voice  of  thunder,  the  far  off  listener  thrills ; 


FOURTH  OF  JULY.  135 

From  Eric  and  Ontario,  to  cold  and  pure  Champlain, 

This  morn  there  rises  up  a  cry,  a  loud  exultant  strain  ; 

For  Freedom  chants  her  birth-day  hymn,  and  its  anthem  strains 

arise, 

As  grand  as  angels  chant  on  high,  the  songs  of  Paradise  ; 
And  far  to  southward  rolls  the  strain,  on  past  Mt.  Vernon's  grave, 
Across  the  old  Palmetto  State,  that  nursery  of  the  brave, 
Amidst  the  fragrant  orange  groves,  or  the  fair  magnolia  tree, 
That  song  goes  sweetly  up  this  morn,  that  song  of  Liberty. 

IV. 

Where  Mississippi's  torrents  in  eternal  volumes  rush, 
With  the  whirlwind's  wild  velocity,  the  earthquake's  awful  crush, 
Along  the  mighty  valley,  through  which  it  thundering  roars, 
From  the  thousand  fair  plantations,  that  beautify  its  shores ; 
O'er  the  broad  and  deep  Ohio,  o'er  the  prairies  of  the  West, 
There's  gladness,  there's  jubilee,  in  every  freeman's  breast. 

v. 

Where  far  within  the  wilderness,  the  emigrant  toils  on, 
In  labor  and  in  weariness,  to  a  still  more  western  home ; 
This  morn  the  royal  eagle  from  his  eyrie  fled  away, 
As  the  wanderer  gave  his  welcome  to  the  blest  and  holy  day. 

VI. 

Away  upon  the  ocean,  where  the  billows  heave  and  swell, 
Where  in  loveliness  and  loneliness  the  gorgeous  vessels  sail, 
This  morning,  o'er  the  waters,  a  thousand  broadsides  speak, 
And  echoes  grand  reverberate  from  many  a  rolling  deck. 
For  Freedom  treads  the  smiling  earth,  his  song  breathes  o'er  the 

sea, 
And  the  sailors'  pulses  beat  in  time  to  its  high  minstrelsy. 


1  36  FOURTH  OP  JULY. 

VII. 

Ind  where  our  sable  frigates  have  folded  up  their  wings, 
And  are  resting  on  their  anchors  in  the  distant  ports  of  kings, 
From  their  dusky  sides  the  heavy  guns  boom  harsh  on  tyrants' 

ears, 

Their  solemn  tones  awaken  a  thousand  smouldering  fears  ; 
For  in  their  thunder-bursts  are  heard  words  ominous  and  drear, 
That  the  end  of  earthly  kings  and  kingdoms  draweth  near. 

VIII. 

In  England's  lordly  palaces,  there's  sadness  brooding  now, 
There  are  many  sable  garments  worn,  there  many  a  tear  doth 

flow; 

*?or  the  glory  of  the  nation  has  gone  to  doubtful  strife, 
And  dispairing  are  the  glances  of  sister,  mother,  wife. 
In  answer  to  their  yearning  hearts,  no  echo  comes  again, 
Save  the  roar  of  hostile  cannon,  the  shouts  of  fighting  men. 

IX. 

In  the  vine-clad  vales  of  sunny  France,  there's  mourning  sad  and 

drear, 

For  the  bravest  of  her  people  beyond  the  Danube  war ; 
A  second  and  worse  Moscow  blazes  on  them  its  fierce  fire, 
And  iron  hail  is  mingled  in  the  tempest  wild  and  dire. 
Her  minstrel-harps  are  silent,  her  maidens  dance  no  more, 
For  fearful  are  the  echoes  from  the  Black  Sea's  smoking  shore. 

x. 

And  Russia  is  in  mourning  too,  though  in  serfdom  low  she  lies, 
There  are  some  heart  strings  broken  e'en  when  a  peasant  dies ; 
By  the  Danube  and  the  Dneister,  the  Cossac  hero  sleeps, 
By  the  Volga  and  the  Don,  the  Cossac  mother  weeps. 


FOURTH  OF  JULY.  137 

Poor  Europe  is  convulsed  by  a  more  than  earthquake's  power, 
And  the  darkness  seems  still  gathering  and  thickening  every  hour. 

XI. 

But  peace  sits  on  our  fair  land,  the  earth  its  treasures  yield, 
The  mountains  give  their  jewels  up,  white  is  the  harvest  field; 
The  stars  and  stripes  are  floating  o'er  ocean's  farthest  wave, 
Blessed  by  the  weak  and  feeble,  respected  by  the  brave  ; 
Then  freemen!  should  we  not  rejoice  upon  this  glorious  day, 
Have  we  not  more  cause  for  gratefulness,  than  the  nations  far 

away? 

What  country  half  so  beautiful  ?  what  climate  half  so  bland  ? 
What  valleys  half  so  fertile  ?  what  scenery  half  so  grand  ? 
The  mountain's  firm  foundations  are  laid  in  massy  gold, 
The  rivers  roll  o'er  sparkling  sands,  in  wealth  unknown,  untold ; 
The  climate  softly  nurtures  the  fairest  tropic  flower, 
The  soil  brings  vegetation  forth  with  an  all  unequaled  power  ; 
Our  glorious  State,  the  latest  born,  and  yet  supreme,  by  far, 
In  the  Union's  constellation,  the  brightest  beaming  star. 

K3  xii. 

Then  let  a  shout  of  welcome,  reverb'rate  o'er  the  land, 

From  the  Alleghany's  summit  to  our  Sierras,  cold  and  grand ; 

From  Florida  to  Oregon,  from  the  Rio  Grande  to  Maine, 

O'er  the  Mississippi's  valley,  o'er  Kansas'  vexed  domain  ; 

Let  the  trumpet  tones  roll  westward,  and  as  it  meets  us  here, 

Let  us  give  it  greeting  worthy  the  lineage  we  bear ; 

As  children  of  that  august  race,  who  to  freedom  raised  a  fane, 

And  hallowed  it  with  their  own  blood,  a  copious,  sacred  rain. 


TO  TPIE  MEMORY  OF  A  BELOVED  SISTER. 


To-night  there's  mourning  in  my  childhood's  home, 
A  crushing  sadness  broods  o'er  every  room, 

And  stillness,  save  the  throbs  that  stifled  come, 
Like  tolling  deatn-bells  on  the  rayless  gloom. 

ii. 
One  and  another  droops,  and  fades,  and  dies, 

Mother,  sister,  brother  hushed  in  sleep, 
Till  now  the  band  that's  glad  in  Paradise 

Exceeds  the  number  left  on  earth  to  weep. 

in. 
Aud  thou,  our  sister,  last  upon  the  way, 

Say,  when  thy  fainting  spirit  heard  the  roar 
Of  those  dark  billows,  when  the  icy  spray 

Rose  to  thy  brow  from  that  mysterious  shore, 

IV. 

Did  not  a  gentle  pilot  find  thee  there, 

And  guide  thy  spirit  through  the  leaden  tide  ? 

Did  there  not  rise  a  city  high  and  fair, 

With  mansions  grand,  upon  the  other  side  ? 


TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  A  BELOVED  SISTER. 
V. 

Ob !  tell  us  of  the  glories  of  that  place, 

The  shining  palaces,  the  tree  of  life, 
The  throne,  before  which  angels  veil  the  face, 

That  Heaven  with  wonders  and  with  beauties  rife  ? 

VI. 

Oh !  tell  us  of  your  meeting  with  the  throng, 
That  came  to  greet  you  at  the  pearly  gate  ; 

Methinks  I  hear  the  echoes  of  their  song, 
The  mighty  soundings  of  that  anthem  great, 

VII. 

Whose  melodies  no  mortal  ear  could  bear, 
So  solemn  are  its  strains,  so  high  and  deep ; 

When  God's  vast  armies  in  one  temple  choir, 

Join  in  the  chant,  and  saints  their  loud  harps  sweep. 

VIII. 

Oh !  should  that  august  band  tune  every  string, 
And  should  eternity's  vast  u  organ  "  roll ; 

Should  angel  and  arch-angel  join  to  sing, 
A  song  of  greeting  to  thy  coming  soul, 

IX. 

They  could  not  tell  of  all  thy  gentleness, 

Of  all  thy  tenderness,  and  worth,  and  love  ; 
No  kinder  heart  did  death's  cold  hand  e'er  press, 

No  purer  spirit  Heaven  contains  above. 

x. 
Alas  !  'tis  sad  ;  my  soul  is  racked  in  pain  ; 

My  heavy  heart  is  growing  cold  and  sere, 
For  Memory's  phantoms  throng  my  aching  brain  ; 

The  tones  of  voices  silenced  thrill  my  ear. 


140  TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  A  BELOVED  SISTER. 

XI. 

It  seems,  at  times,  'twere  good  to  dwell  alone 
In  this  cold  world,  unblessing  and  unblest, 

For  close  each  joy  we  hear  a  funeral  knell, 
And  Death  from  us  our  dearest  hopes  doth  wrest. 

XII. 

Save  that  the  voice  of  Faith  doth  whisper  loud, 
"  There  is  a  God  who  rules  in  highest  heaven, 

Who  deals  with  justice  unto  man  below, 

Who  pities  hearts  by  gloom  and  anguish  riven." 

XIII. 

But  oft  with  clouds  his  mercies  are  concealed, 
And  till  they  break  we  cannot  see  the  plan, 

Which,  when  'tis  opened,  always  is  revealed, 
Sweet  "  peace  on  earth,  and  good  will  unto  man." 


LINES 

WRITTEN  AFTER  ATTENDING  MRS.  EMMA  WALLER'S  CONCERT. 


I. 

I  chanced  at  eve,  to  pass  the  house  of  prayer, 
And  in  its  sacred  aisles  I  heard  the  tread, 

As  when  a  congregation  gathers  there, 
To  hear  of  Him  who  for  man's  evils  bled. 

ii. 
I  entered,  and  a  gifted  mortal  sang, 

Of  the  high  mountains  and  the  valley  fair  ; 
And  his  deep  tones,  like  murmuring  forests  rang, 

Or  vesper  bells  upon  the  evening  air. 

in. 
Another  sang,  his  theme  was  ocean  wild  ; 

Where  winds  rejoice  and  midnight  tempests  rave 
Of  sinking  ships,  of  father,  wife,  and  child, 

Sleeping  all  sweetly  in  their  ocean  grave. 

IV. 

Another  sang !  fair  as  the  queen  of  love, 
She  seemed,  a  smile  filled  either  eye, 

Her  voice  like  warbling  thush  or  cooing  dove, 
Thrills  through  my  soul,  and  lifts  me  upon  high, 


142  MRS.   EMMA  WALLER. 

V. 

My  wandering  thoughts,  pass  to  each  shining  scat, 
Where  angel  bands  chant  through  their  sacred  halls, 

And  Cherubim  on  golden  harps  repeat, 
The  joys  of  those  within  those  heavenly  walls, 

VI. 

But  her  song  grew  sad  at  length,  oh  !  strangely  sad, 
And  chokingly  my  heart  throbbed  while  she  sung; 

Unconsciously  my  wandering  thoughts  were  led 

Back  to  the  hallowed  paths  of  "home,  sweet  .home.1' 

VII. 

I  sought  my  pillow,  but  the  silvery  hairs 

Of  an  aged  father,  o'er  my  visions  streamed, 
And  many  a  sparkling  eye,  bewitching  fair, 
As  they  were  long  ago  upon  me  beamed. 
I  awoke,  thanks  to  the  songstress, 
I  had  dreamed. 


ESTELLE  POTTER. 

T. 

I  stood  in  Thespis'  temple  hall, 

Before  her  sacred  shrine, 
'Midst  painting,  beauty,  and  music,  all 
The  charms  she  there  to  her  aid  doth  call, 

The  soul  with  joy  to  entwine. 

ii. 
Before  her  altar,  a  being  stood, 

A  creature  gorgeously  fair  ; 
Methought  as  I  gazed  from  that  high  abode, 
Where  the  angels  chant  their  deathless  ode, 

She  came  to  gladden,  us  here. 

in. 
She  spoke  ;  there  fell  from  her  lips  a  tone 

Like  the  warbling  of  a  bird, 
Like  the  nightingale,  whose  plaintive  moan, 
When  she  sings  to  her  mate,  her  love,  alone, 

In  the  dim,  deep  night  is  heard. 

IV. 

And  her  eyes  were  mild,  like  a  glad  gazelle, 

Her  proud  form,  passive  and  still ; 
But  round  her  lips  a  smile  did  dwell, 
So  sweet  and  winning,  my  heart  did  swell, 
And  I  felt  in  my  soul  a  thrill. 


144  ESTELLE  POTTER. 

V. 

But  the  play  wore  on,  the  calm  brow  grew 

Empassioned,  excited,  stern  ; 
From  o'er  the  pale  cheek  the  fierce  eye  threw 
A  gleam  as  fierce  as  mariner's  view, 

"When  at  midnight  a  ship  doth  burn. 

VI. 

And  the  voice  grew  loud,  and  deep,  and  grand, 

Like  a  trumpet,  or  the  sea 
When  the  dread  billows  break  on  the  land  ; 
And  her  trembling  frame,  e'en  the  small  clasped  hand 

Told  the  soul's  intensity.     ^ 

VII. 

And  after  her,  went  the  hearts  of  the  throng, 

In  wild,  delirious  beat ; 
And  when  she  ceased,  in  a  loud  prolong 
Of  shout  and  cheer,  like  a  battle  song, 

They  gave  her  homage  sweet. 

VIII. 

There's  a  charm  in  genius,  a  glory,  a  power, 

A  sweet,  a  magical  spell ; 
An  age  of  rapture  I  lived  in  that  hour, 
All  earth  was  a  garden  where  bloomed  but  one  flower, 

Our  beautiful,  gifted  Estelle. 

IX. 

Let  man  talk  no  more  of  his  prowess  and  might, 

Or  complain  that  Adam  did  fall ; 
For  Eve  was  a  woman,  Adam  did  right ; 
He  did  as  we  all  would  have  done  in  his  plight, 

For  the  sirens  make  slaves  of  us  all. 


A  DAY  DREAM. 


"I  had  a  dream,  which  was  not  all  a  dream." 

— BYBON. 

i. 
'Twas  the  year  nineteen  hundred,  on  Diablo's  hoary  brow, 

A  traveler  stood  enraptured,  gazing  down  upon  the  view, 

That  stretched  out  fair  before  him  in  panorama  grand, 

Like  a  landscape  sketch  of  Heaven,  penciled  by  an  angel  hand. 

u. 

'Twas  night,  but  California's  moon  made  night  almost  like  day, 
As  its  beams  of  silver  mingled  with  the  waters  of  the  bay, 
Which  ocean-ward  were  rolling,  and  murmuring  in  their  flow, 
Like  a  breeze  amidst  the  forest,  like  an  organ  sweet  and  low. 

in. 

Far,  far  away,  the  flowery  earth  stretched  out  a  garden  fair, 
And  homes  of  wondrous  loveliness  were  frequent  every  where  ; 
And  villages  and  cities,  made  picturesque  the  scene, 
As  their  pinacles  seemed  jets  of  fire  in  the  moon's  refulgent  sheen  ; 
The  rail-car  and  the  steamer  were  rushing  to  and  fro, 
Binding  ocean's  rolling  surges  with  the  Sierras  capp'd  in  snow  ; 
With  the  fresh'ning  breeze  rich  argories  were  standing  out  to  sea, 
Their  shadowy  sails  unfurling  a  glorious  canopy ; 
And  merchant  ships,  as  if  fatigued  by  the  long  billowy  way, 


146  A  DAT    DREAM. 

Were  folding  up  their  cloudy  wings,  while  o'er  the  moon-lit  bay, 
A  navy  as  gigantic  slept,  as  the  one  that's  moored  the  while, 
Round  the  world's  commercial  center — Old  Albion's  ship-girt  isle  ; 
The  factory,  the  mighty  mill,  were  rolling  sternly  on, 
Life's  enginery  worked  briskly,  and  the  constant  voiceless  hum 
Of  a  busy  world  was  rising  up  in  a  murmur  low  and  clear, 
Like  the  anthem  of  the  midnight  wind,  when  autumn  rules  the 
year. 

IY. 

As  thus  the  stranger  wondering  gazed,  a  spirit  sought  his  side, 
A  dweller  of  that  unknown  land,  beyond  Death's  gloomy  tide  ; 
And  he  whispered,  "Mortal,  lo  !  I  see,  thou  wonderest  at  the  view 
That  stretches  out  beneath  us,  so  gorgeous  in  its  view ! 
Come,  sit  down  on  this  ragged  cliff,  and  listen  while  I  tell 
Its  history,  the  strangest  far  that  e'er  a  land  befell. 

v. 

It  is  scarce  half  a  century  since  the  Almighty  gave  command 
A  certain  people  should  possess  this  fair  and  goodly  land  ! 
And  he  gave  unto  the  vallies  unknown  fertility, 
And  he  made  o'er  beds  of  jewels  the  rivers  seek  the  sea  ; 
In  the  mountains'  firm  foundations  he  planted  solid  gold, 
And  the  skies  were  ever  azure,  for  Jehovah  said,  "Behold ! 
This  people  shall  be  blessed  indeed,  and  I  will  see  if  they 
Will  cast  my  stern  commands  aside,  and  my  statutes  disobey ; 
Or  if  they  will  not  once  return,  with  thankful  hearts  to  me, 
For  all  the  blessings  I  bestow— Life,  Wealth,  Peace,  Liberty  !  " 

VI. 

From  Earth's  remotest  shores,  men  clustered  eager  here, 
And  different  nations  mingled  in  contrast  strange  and  queer ; 


A  DAY   DREAM.  14*7 

From  Europe^from  Asia,  from  the  islands  of  the  main, 
All  tribes  and  dispositions,  all  shades  and  colors  came. 
And  the  mountains  gave  their  jewels  up,  the  proud  hills  bowed 

their  heads, 
!Men  made  new  channels  for  the  streams,  and  left  their  golden 

beds 

All  open  for  the  spoiler's  hand,  and  many  a  gloomy  dell 
Grew  bright  with  glittering  diamonds,  where  the  sun's  rays  never 

fell; 

And  the  soil  gave  forth  so  generously  beneath  the  laborer's  hand, 
That  it  seemed  an  endless  garden  extending  o'er  the  land ; 
And  the  State  bloomed  in  its  beauty  proudly  and  brightly  forth, 
The  wonder,  aye,  the  last  great  wonder  of  the  earth ! 

VII. 

But  men's  hearts  were  not  thankful ;  their  souls  swelled  up  in 

pride, 

As  they  watched  the  golden  harvest  being  reaped  on  every  side, 
And  they  gave  no  praise  to  Heaven,  but  ascribed  to  their  own 

skill 

The  change  that  came  upon  them ;  and  'twas  worth  a  smile 
To  see  some  men,  by  accident  made  wealthy  suddenly, 
Strive  their  new  made  honors  to  sport  with  ease  and  dignity, 
But  from  'neath  the  "lion's  skin"  of  wealth,   alas  !  there  would 

appear, 
At  times  most  unpropitious  the  asses'  graceless  ear. 

VIII. 

And  there  were  fops  in  those  young  days  ;  poor  soulless,  brainless 

fools, 
Unlearned  in  aught  except  the  round  of  Fashion's  fickle  rules, 


148  A  DA 

Without  one  gift  of  intellect,  without  one  wandering  thought, 
From  the  sacred  fane  of  Glory,  by  toil  and  study  brought ; 
Whose  dreams  at  night  were  filled  to  brim  with  waistcoats  long 

and  broad, 

Or  of  collars,  that  surrounding  things  completely  overawed ; 
Without  one  noble  purpose  or  aspiration  high, 
To  strive,  on  Life's  rough  battle  field,  to  conquer  or  to  die  ; 
And  while  to  dread  Eternity  rolled  by  the  golden  days, 
They   sought  for   nothing  higher  than  some  village  spinster's 

praise. 

IX. 

And  there  were  maidens,  too — I  grieve  to  tell  it  here — 
Maidens  with  rose-clad  faces,  and  forms  bewitching  fair, 
But  without  a  glimmering  vision  beyond  a  flounced  skirt, 
Or  of  the  slim  excitement  with  some  moon-struck  beau  to  flirt ; 
The  bonnet  that  half  concealed  their  half-filled  heads,  o'erhung 
The  highest  thought  that  e'er  to  their  imagination  clung  ; 
And  at  the  age  when,  in  other  lands,  the  maiden  is  a  child, 
Here,  a  woman  all  completed,  on  Life's  gay  sea  she  sailed, 
Ready  to  discuss  a  poem,  or  theatrical  display, 
To  faint,  or  blush,  or  marry,  in  the  most  fastidious  way. 

x. 

And  there  were  others,  in  those  days,  strong-minded  women,  they 
Who  called  their  sex  oppressed,  and  who,  by  much  display, 
By  long,  rapid  speeches,  though  no  good  was  in  them  blent, 
Thought  unto  themselves  to  rear  a  lasting  monument; 
forgetting  their  own  hideous  looks,  while  moving  in  that  sphere, 
'hat  like   the  wretched  thing  called  man  they  would  the  most 
appear ; 


A  DAY   DREAM.  149 

Forgetting  that  the  pilot,  silent  in  his  little  room, 

Guides  the  gallant  ship,  when  tempests  rave  and  billows  crasl 

and  boom, 

And  not  the  noisy  seaman,  who  by  the  reeling  mast 
Mingles  his  wild  curses  with  the  thundering  of  the  blast ; 
For  men  are  but  mariners,  the  stormy  world  to  brave, 
To  work  the  trembling  bark  of  Life,  when  winds  relentless  rave ; 
While  in  the  pilot-house  of  home,  fair  hands  usurp  their  realm, 
And  voices  soft  and  musical  sway  best  the  toss'd  bark's  helm. 

XI. 

And  'midst  all  the  confusion  of  the  elements  that  made 
Society  in  those  young  days,  frail  mortals  further  strayed  ; 
The  midnight  sky  was  darkened  by  many  a  fearful  deed, 
The  thief  and  vagabond  roamed  free,  nor  did  men  longer  heed 
The  sacred  laws  laid  down  to  them  from  Sinai's  smoking  side. 
The  Sabbath  was  neglected,  with  haughtiness  and  pride ; 
Men  heeded  not,  nor  worshipped,  but  at  shrines  of  sordid  gold, 
And  forgot  the  awful  Being,  at  whose  command  first  rolled 
Sun,  satellite's  and  stars,  obedient,  and  sublime; 
Who  framed  creation  with  a  word,  and  gave  the  life  to  Time ; 
Whose  smile  doth  light  immensity,  whose  form  doth  darken  space; 
Whose  eye  at  one  swift  glance  can  eternity  embrace ; 
Who  breathed  in  mercy  unto  man  that  little  vital  ray, 
Of  his  own  immortal  spirit  illumining  the  clay, 
Till  just  below  the  angels,  it  stands  in  being's  line ; 
Yet  as  far  beneath  his  Maker,  as  is  the  glow-worm's  shine 
Beneath  the  great  sun's  splendor,  when  on  a  summer  day, 
From  zenith's  height  his  burning  beams  upon  the  earth  dofcfi  play. 

XII. 

Now  Lust  and  Pride,  and  Malice,  reigned  over  all  the  land, 


150  A  DAY    DREAM, 

And  dark  crimes  grew,  and  widened,  and  extended  on  each  hand; 
For  punishment  the  flood  was  sent,  and  towns  and  fair  domain 
Were  whelmed  beneath  the  waters,  and  men  cursed  the  hateful 

rain  ; 

The  fire  was  left  to  burn  its  way,  and  oft  upon  a  morn, 
A  smould'ring,  smoking  mass  was  the  only  mark  forlorn 
Of  the  city,  that  the  prior  day  had  bloomed  so-  brightly  fair, 
But  which  had  melted  all  away  in  the  midnight's  burning  Qr. 
Dire  accidents  were  happening,  by  river,  sea  and  plain, 
The  pestilence,  the  locust,  the  blight,  each  held  its  reign ; 
But  men  heeded  not  these  warnings,  nor  bowed  beneath  the  rod, 
But  cursed  their  horrid  luck,  their  own  souls,  and  their  God, 
Till  Justice  look'd  in  anger  from  his  cloudy  seat  on  high, 
And  heaven  grew  dark  beneath  the  frown  of  his  tremendous  eye; 
"Long  have  I  borne  the  trials  of  this  hated  race,"  he  said, 
"All  my  commands  they  put  to  nought,  all  my  decrees  deride  ; 
An  earthly  paradise  they  make  a  place  for  pride  and  lust, 
'Tis  meet  that  they  should  be  destroyed,  should  crumble   back  to 

dust ;" 

Then  He  call'd  Death,  and  bade  him  with  his  ministers  attend, 
Thro'  paths  of  space  to  take  his  way  this  guilty  land  to  rend. 

xnr. 
Then  from  the  gloomy  realm's  beneath,  Death's  hollow  answer 

rung, 

And  from  their  secret  palaces,  the  whistling  whirlwinds  sprung, 
The  earthquakes  from  their  caverns,  the  lightning  and  the  fire, 
The  thunders  and  the  storms,  the  tempests  wild  and  dire  ; 
The  gases  of  the  ocean  were  ready  to  ignite, 
The  pestilence  that  wasteth  t'ward  the  fair  earth  took  its  flight, 


A  DAY   DREAM.  151 

All  the  elements  of  death  were  marshalled  to  ascend, 

And  Mercy  hid  her  weeping  face,  her  reign  was  at  an  end  ; 

Fate  almost  had  placed  her  signature  upon  the  fiat  stern, 

And  vengeance  whet  his  shining  sword,  e'en  Pity  ceased  to  mourn. 

Farewell,  0,  fruitful  earth,  fair  plains  and  golden  hills  ; 

Your  reign  of  sin  is  ended,  Fate  approves  and  Justice  wills, 

The  elements  of  Death  are  on  their  upward  way, 

The  earthquakes'  tremblings   have  begun,   the  lightnings  flash 

and  play, 

The  storm  is  on  the  march,  the  fire  is  kindling  now, 
The  thunders  in  their  gloomy  realms  are  muttering  harsh  and  low ; 
O'er  the  battlements  of  Heaven  the  gorgeous  armies  bend, 
To  witness,  while  destruction  shall  this  erring  planet  rend: 
But  see  !   a  radiant  form  stand  s  gently  forth  from  Heaven, 
Her  robes  are  all  of  Paradise,  bright  as  stars  of  summer's  even ; 
How  fair,  how  sweetly  beautiful,  what  child  of  earth  may  know, 
How  impossible  such  loveliness  to  realize  below  ! 
Immortal  flowers  in  heavenly  wreaths,  her  radiant  brow  entwine, 
A  stainless  robe  flow'd  o'er  her  form,  and  God's  own  signet  shined 
Upon  her  hand,  which  quivering  held  a  golden  sceptre  high; 
At  sight  of  the  fair  being,  arrested  was  each  eye, 
And  when  upon  the  golden  streets  her  light  foot  noiseless  stept, 
Each  murmur  ceased,  and   silence  o'er  Heaven's  high  mansion 

crept. 

xiv. 

Fairest  of  Heavens  inhabitants,  her  sacred  name  was  Love, 
The  sweetest,  mildest,  holiest  name  in  all  the  realms  above, 
And  she  raised  her  shinning  sceptre  up,  and  bade  the  bright  host 
there 


152  A  DAY   DREAM. 

Listen,  and  each  voice  was  hushed  in  that  assembly  fair, 
Each  harp  of  paradise  was  still,  and  lo !  from  earth  arose 
A  wail  as  sad,  as  plaintive,  as  when  the  drear  wind  blows, 
And  yet,  'twas  sweet  and  beautiful,  and  every  ear  was  thrill'd, 
And  many  an  angel's  eye,  with  tears  of  pity  filTd. 

xv. 

And  lo !  far   down  from   earth's  dark  shores,  arose  a  mother's 

prayer, 

'Twas  for  an  only  son,  who  had  gone  away  afar, 
To  swelter,  and  to  toil  in  this  land,  so  strange  and  wild, 
And  she  prayed  for  God's  protection  upon  her  wand'ring  child, 
And  low,  and  sweet  that   yearning  prayer,  amid  Heaven's  arches 

rung, 

And  further  o'er  the  glist'ning  walls,  the  raptured  legions  hung, 
To  catch  that  thrilling  prayer  that  unattended,  strayed 
From  earth's  low  shores  to  where  on  high  God's  armies  are  arrayed; 
It  ceased  at  length,  and  Love  drew  nigh  and  clasp'd  stern  Justice's 

hand, 

And  whispered  that  another  scheme  to  save  the  race  she'd  planned, 
And  beg'd  that  half  a  century  more,  but  fifty  years  be  given, 
(Half  a  century  of  earth,  a  moment  scarce  of  heaven;) 
And  Justice  stern  relented,  and  Fate  put  up  his  scroll, 
The  ministers  of  Death  returned,  the  thunders  ceased  to  roll ; 
Stayed  were   earthquake,    storm,  and   lightning,  and  holy   Love 

began 

To  execute  her  mighty  task  in  regenerating  man. 
Swift  she   left  the   bowers  of  Heaven,  and    descending  down  to 

earth, 
In  ten  thousand  female  bosoms,  gave  her  own  blest  spirit  birth, 


A  DAY    PREAM.  163 

And  the  mother's  heart  went  yearning  to  the  boy  long  gone  away, 
The  wife's  first  fondness  for  her  lord,  in  her  soul  again  held  sway; 
Till  forgotten  were  the  dangers  of  the  journey  they  should  meet, 
And  they  sought  this  stranger  shore  with  bounding  hearts  and 

eager  feet. 

How  heavy  were  their  trials,  I  need  not  tell  you  here, 
How  constant  was  the  heart-ache,  how  bitter  was  the  tear ; 
With  what  terrible  forebodings  the  mother's  heart  was  fill'd, 
As  she  saw  the  sweet  temptations  spread  out  before  her  child, 
And  she  clasp'd  it  closer  to  her  heart,  as  at  midnight  she  would 

hear 
The  curse  of  men  imbruted,  the  sot,  the  reveller. 

XVI. 

How  oft  the  husband  and  the  father,  would  bent  and  reel  ing  come, 
From  haunts  of  dissipation  to  family  and  home ; 
But  anon,  there  came  a  change,  a  softness  stole  o'er  things, 
Announcing  better  days,  as  the  first  warm  breeze  that  wings 
Its  soft  breath  o'er  the  winter's  snow,  in  its  whispers  low  is  heard 
Amidst  the  breath  of  flowers,  the  song  of  many  a  bird. 

XVII. 

The  mild  rebuke  of  loving  eyes,  men  began  at  length  to  fear, 
And  nerves  of  iron  learned  to  soften  at  a  tear, 
And  brows  that  could  unflinching  gaze  on  terror's  direst  form?, 
That  o'er  life's  uneven  journey,  loved  best  its  strifes  and  storms, 
Learned  at  length  to  melt  beneath  the  smile  of  woman's  eyes, 
And  her  white  arm  bent  in  pleading,  could  the  mightiest  barriers 

raise  ; 

Between  them  and  an  evil  way,  the  school-house  rose  anon, 
The  church-spire  pointed  heavenward,  bidding  erring  man  return  ; 


154r  A  DAY    DREAM. 

Men  left  their  haunts  of  wickedness  to  train  their  garden  flowers, 

And  in  the  smiles  of  home  forget  sin's  gilded  bowers  ; 

And  the   fair  lands  bloomed  in  beauty,  the  mountains  gave  their 

gold, 

The  earth  in  richer  beauty,  did  its  flowers  and  fruits  unfold, 
For  the  smile  of  Heaven  was  on  the  land,  and  on  the  phoenix's 

wing 

Did  the  votaries  of  learning  their  highest  honors  bring  ; 
And  art,  and  science  flourished,  e'en  poetry  had  birth, 
Till  now,  the  fair  land  blooms,  indeed  the  wonder  of  the  earth. 

XVIII. 

There  was  joy  last  night  in  Heaven,  the  fifty  years  were  past, 
And  Justice,  stern,  was  satisfied,  and  man  was  saved  at  last, 
And  Mercy  was  rejoiced,  and  Fate  did  glad  approve, 
And  a  crown  of  Heaven's  eternal  gems  the  angels  gave  to  Love. 


WANDERINGS  AND  DREAMINGS. 


FRAGMENTS  FROM  AN  OLD  JOURNAL, 


Old  Genesee !  There  is  a  feeling  wild 

That  thrills  me  at  the  mention  of  thy  name  ; 

In  memory  fond  again,  as  when  a  child, 

I  see  thee,  fair  and  lovely,  aye,  the  same 

As  when  long,  long  ago  I  from  thee  came, 

Anxious  to  bare  my  bosom  to  the  storms 

Which  must  be  baffled  ere  the  beacon  flame 

Of  Glory  lights  the  lofty  soul  and  warms, 

And  round  a  mortal  structure  wreathes  immortal  charms. 

ii. 

But  I  am  humbled  now,  for  I  have  learned 
That  fame  is  but  a  gewgaw,  which  allures, 
A  bauble  vain,  at  best  full  hardly  earned — 
A  transient  something,  which  not  long  endures, 
And  ne'er  delights  without  alloy  secures. 
And  so,  I  ask  for  nothing  here  below, 
Except  the  peace  a  guileless  soul  insures  ; 
So  let  Life's  current  move  with  noiseless  flow 
On  to  that  everlasting  deep,  where  all  must  go. 


166  WANDERINGS  AND    DREAMINGS. 

III. 

Old  Genesee !  It  was  an  Autumn  morn 

That  I  departed  from  thy  hallowed  bounds ; 

Thy  hills  were  yellow  with  the  golden  corn, 

My  ears  were  greeted  with  the  merry  sounds 

Of  joyful  huskers,  in  their  daily  rounds  ; 

The  sere  leaves  dropped  from  off  the  forest  trees, 

The  shining  plow-share  turned  its  darkened  mounds, 

The  sky  was  sad,  and  coldly  sighed  the  breeze, 

As  I,  in  wandering,  sought  my  feverish  dreams  to  ease. 

IV. 

Ah  !   well  that  morn  do  I  remember  now. 

What  were  my  thoughts  ?  I  know,  but  shall  I  tell? 

Let  others,  who  have  felt  the  same,  say  how 

The  soul  is  rent  at  bidding  home  farewell; 

How  chokingly  the  heart  will  throb  and  swell, 

How  the  unbidden  tear  will  find  its  course, 

Why  every  farewell  seems  a  funeral  knell, 

Choking  Life's  fountain  at  its  very  source, 

And  changing  happiness  to  sorrow  and  remorse. 

v. 

The  iron  steed  was  harnessed  to  the  car, 
I  heard  his  breath  in  quick,  harsh  pantings  go  ; 
The  bell  was  sounded,  and  with  creak  and  jar. 
The  train  moved  on,  more  swift  than  ocean's  flow ; 
But  swifter,  through  my  mind,  than  tempest's  flow, 
Thoughts  strange  and  wild  were  sweeping,  for  the  home 
Of  youth  and  childhood  disappeared,  and  lo  ! 
O'er  the  wide  world  alone  Life's  bark  must  roam — 
Who  knows  to  what  mysterious  realms  at  length  'twill  come? 


WANDERINGS  AND  DREAMINGS.  157 

VI. 

As  hurried  on  the  train,  I  saw  the  spire 

Of  the  old  church  where  I'd  so  oft  repaired, 

And  heard  the  tunings  of  the  heavenly  lyre, 

And  in  Eternal  Life's  rich  lessons  shared ; 

I  heard,  but  how  profited  ?  Oh!  how  endeared 

The  joys  of  earth  appear  unto  the  soul ; 

How  close  'twill  cling  to  them,  almost  unfeared, 

Though  Death's  dark  chariot  doth  before  it  roll, 

And  dread  eternity  is  so  near — the  certain  goal ! 

VII. 

I  saw  beside  the  golden  sunbeams  rest 

On  a  cold  tomb,  whose  inmates  hold  a  place 

The  dearest,  'midst  the  treasures  of  my  breast. 

In  its  far  wanderings,  oft  my  mind  doth  trace 

The  lineaments  of  each  familiar  face  ; 

Our  mother,  brothers,  sisters,  one  by  one, 

Are  gone  ;  and  at  their  feet,  two  mounds  embrace 

A  little  happy  pair,  whose  race  was  run 

Long,  long  before  my  own  unhappy  course  begun. 

VIII. 

Swift  on  our  way,  and  yet  one  more  Farewell! 

Old  Caledonia,  one  adieu  for  thee  ! 

Full  in  its  thankfulness  my  heart  doth  swell, 

When  I  recall  thy  kindnesses  to  me ; 

Land  of  the  generous  hearted  and  the  free, 

My  soul  is  bound  to  thee  with  deathless  ties ; 

They  change  not,  though  between  us  rolls  the  sea, 

And  forests  wave  and  cold  blue  mountains  rise, 

Thou  land  of  dancing  feet,  warm  hearts  and  sparkling  eyes. 


158  WANDERINGS  AND  DREAMINQS. 

IX. 

There  dwell  descendants  of  that  mighty  race 
Of  which  the  immortal  bards  of  Scotland  sung  ; 
Their  eyes  of  pride,  their  forms  of  strength  and  grac«, 
Proclaim  the  lineage  high  from  whence  they  sprung. 
Their  mighty  sires  are  sleeping  now  among 
Scotland's  high  mountains,  and  beside  her  streams, 
Which  through  those  highlands  ever  wander  on, 
O'er  rocky  chasms  and  through  dark  ravines, 
And  with  their    rnurmurings,  lull  the  weary  shepherd's 
dreams. 

x. 

Two  score  years  since,  from  out  those   fastnesses 
A  little  band  appeared  and  westward  hied ; 
They  brave  the  sea,  through  unknown  wilds  they  press, 
And  sit  them"  down  by  Genesee's  dark  tide, 
(Which  there,  'midst  vallies,  beautiful  doth  glide,) 
With  nerves  of  steel  and  hearts  of  stalwart  might. 
Of  their  new  home,  the  labors  they  defied  ; 
Behind  them  shone  integrity's  fair  light, 
And  hope  along  their  future  beamed  supremely  bright. 

XI. 

The  wilderness  was  peopled,  and  the  sound 
Of  falling  forests  echoed  on  the  gale, 
As  each  old  oak  or  maple,  with  a  bound, 
Leaped  from  its  hight,  and  like  a  warrior,  fell ; 
Or,  as  goes  down  at  sea  some  gallant  sail, 
Their  leafy  tops  bowed  to  the  woodman's  stroke, 
As  plied  the  axe  of  each  enduring  Gael, 
And  loud  the  murmurs  of  the  woods  awoke, 
As  limb  upon  descending  limb  was  rent  and  broke. 


WANDERINGS  AND  DREAMINGS.  159 

XII. 

But  age,  with  silent  step,  creeps  over  all, 

And  of  that  gallant  band,  but  few  remain  ; 

For  one  by  one  they've  bowed  to  Death's  loud  call, 

And  now  by  Allen's  noble  stream  are  lain, 

Which  sweeps  majestically  through  the  plain. 

But  go  there,  stranger,  and  thou  wilt  behold 

A  garden  smile,  and  in  each  face  I  ween 

Thou'lt  mark  the  features  generous,  but  bold, 

"Which  show  the  race  to  which  their  sires  belonged  of  old. 

XIII. 

And  all  the  ideal  splendors  which  do  throng, 

In  matchless  grandeur  through  a  Scottish  mind; 

Those  splendors  which  are  pictured  in  this  song, 

And  which  romance  hath  round  their  history  twined. 

Amidst  their  children  still  those  gems  you  find  ; 

With  hearts  which  burn  with  love  and  friendship's  ray, 

With  forms  of  strength  and  beauty  rare,  combined, 

With  souls  as  free  as  wine  on  holiday, 

To  such,  a  sad  farewell  I  gave,  and  turned  away. 

XIV. 

I  turned  away,  and  yet  returned  again, 

To  wave  a  last  farewell  to  one  as  fair 

As  ever  yet  was  praised  by  tongue  or  pen ; 

Who,  like  a  sweet  dream,  rose  before  me  there, 

A  bright  star  on  the  night  of  my  despair ; 

And  though  since  then  have  circled  weary  years, 

Still  when  I  gaze  down  memories  cloisters  fair, 

Ever  her  form,  'midst  that  fair  hall  appears 

The  sweetest,  and  I  gaze  till  'tis  obscured  by  tears. 


160  WANDERINGS  AND  DKEAMINGS. 

XV. 

Despite  the  headlong  speed,  one  place  I  mark, 

I  see  it  smiling  'neath  its  chesnut  shade ; 

"Pis  wisdom's  shrine,  where  ignorance,  though  dark 

And  lusterless,  by  learning  is  arrayed 

In  spotless  robes  which  cannot  stain  or  fade ; 

But  which,  when  worn,  more  beautiful  do  grow  ; 

A  vesture  rare,  with  priceless  gems  inlaid  ; 

A  glorious  radiance  ever  round  the  brow, 

A  bulwark  that  the  mighiest  may  not  overthrow. 

XVI. 

A  league  from  Rochester,  it  eastward  lies, 

And  Clover  street  is  its  facetious  name  ; 

'Twas  given  by  one,  who  in  Rome's  palmiest  days 

Might,  had  he  lived,  have  stood  a  child  of  fame  ; 

Such  germs  of  greatness  his  stern  soul  might  claim, 

Full  many  fairy,  nymph-like  forms  there  meet, 

And  soft  cheeks  blush,  and  sparkling  eyes  there  flame, 

And  wavy  curls,  white  arms,  and  voices  sweet, 

And  gentle  bosoms  heaving  make  the  charm  complete. 

XVII. 

But  darkness  now  has  fallen  on  that  fair  shrine  ; 
Its  guardian  angel  wearied,  fell  asleep; 
She,  around  whom,  every  virtue  did  entwine ; 
She  whose  pure  lips  of  wisdom  drank  so  deep 
Has  passed  away,  and  they  can  only  weep, 
Lamenting  tears  at  memory  of  their  loss ; 
Would  that  my  soul  in  one  exalted  sweep, 
Could  in  just  eulogy  her  worth  emboss, 
'Twould  change  Celestia  almost  to  Celestial  Bloss. 


WANDERINGS  AND  DREAMINGS.  161 

XVIII. 

But  in  a  moment,  all  had  disappeared, 

For  hours  the  train  flew  on  its  iron  wings, 

'Till  finally  some  pine-clad  hills  we  neared, 

Along  whose  base  the  sable  Mohawk  sings, 

Fed  by  its  thousand  tributary  springs ; 

And  midst  those  hills  I  tarried  for  a  space 

And  wandered  where  a  mighty  forest  swings 

Its  awful  shadow  over  Nature's  face, 

Folding  that  waste  for  many  leagues  in  cold  embrace. 

XIX. 

And  here  supreme  the  red  man  dwelt  of  old; 

Beneath  these  shades  have  savage  warriors  slept 

And  sung  their  songs  and  told  their  legends  bold, 

Or  couched  in  secret  ambush,  stealthy  crept 

Or  from  these  wilds  in  desolation  swept, 

In  vengeance,  on  their  "  pale  faced  "  enemy ; 

And  for  her  lover  here  the  maiden  wept, 

( And  wild  lamenting  woke  her  plantive  cry ) 

Who  many  moons  before  went  forth  to  war  and  die. 

xx. 

Romantic  place  !     A  beautiful  resort 
To  view  the  wonders  of  Omnipotence  ! 
Behind  those  hills  the  storm-king  holds  his  court ; 
The  winds  and  winged  lightnings  journey  hence; 
And  the  soft  flower  with  lustre  so  intense 
Blooms  in  the  path  primeval  earthquakes  tread, 
And  here,  too,  in  this  wilderness  immense, 
The  Indian  mourner  comes,  his  tears  to  shed, 

For  'neath  that  mound  there  lies  a  generation  dead, 
12 


162  WANDERINGS  AND  DREAMINGS. 

XXI. 

A  lovely  place  and  not  unlike  the  Heaven 

The  faithful  savage  hopes  at  last  to  share, 

By  the  great  Spirit  to  his  loved  ones  given  — 

Those  soft  Elysian  fields  forever  fair; 

There  the  Great  Spirit  hears  the  Indian's  prayer, 

There  never  thunders  growl  nor  lightnings  blaze, 

There  sweet  flowers  bloom,  luxuriant  and  rare, 

And  in  perpetual  sunshine's  genial  rays, 

Thro'  beautious  hunting  grounds  they  wander  endless  days 

XXII. 

How  different  the  Christian's  hope  of  Heaven ! 

That  shining  city  far  away  in  space, 

The  everlasting  morn  that  knows  no  even, 

Lit  by  the  glories  of  Jehovah's  face, 

And  angel  forms  ineffable  in  grace, 

The  pearly  gates,  the  wall,  and  golden  streets, 

And  where  Life's  crystal  river  soft  doth  trace 

Its  murmuring  course  beside  the  blissful  seats, 

And  where  the  Tree  of  Life  blooms  with  eternal  Bweeta. 

XXIII. 

Those  golden  harps  upon  whose  echoing  strings 

Seraphim  and  Cherubim  delight  to  play, 

Until  reverberating  Heaven  rings, 

And  angels  bow  at  the  enchanting  lay, 

And  cast  their  diadems  of  gems  away 

At  the  feet  of  him  who  sits  upon  the  throne, 

And  from  the  clouds  and  darkness  sends  his  sway 

Far  off  unto  Creation's  endless  zone — 

The  awful  ruling  God  and  great  Eternal  One. 


WANDERINGS  AND  DREAMINGS.  163 

XXIV. 

Oh !  happy  thought,  that  when  this  life  of  toil 

Is  ended,  we  may  bask  amidst  those  sweets, 

If  we  but  faithful  are  while  here,  and  all 

Our  pride  repent,  and  envyings  and  deceits, 

And  heed  when  conscience's  warning  voice  entreats. 

Blest  thought !  it  gives  the  spirit  wings  to  soar 

When  ebbing  Life's  pulsation  feebly  beats, 

When  earthly  consolations  soothe  no  more, 

And  the  departing  spirit  hears  Death's  billows  roar. 

xxv. 

I  know  'tis  so ;  I  saw  a  brother  die 
When  manhood's  sun  was  at  its  zenith  hight ; 
I  saw  him  as  he  closed  his  dying  eye — 
I  witnessed  when  his  spirit  took  its  flight, 
Borne  on  the  winds  of  that  tempestuous  night. 
I  watched  the  last  throb  of  his  suffering  breast; 
I  knew  that  heaven  was  breaking  on  his  sight, 
For  when  the  last  dread  agony  was  past, 
A  smile  of  joy  lit  up  his  countenance  at  last 

XXVI. 

But  I  digress.     Once  more  away,  and  lo ! 

One  more  farewell  to  give,  one  more  to  hear, 

And  then  no  pause  until  the  solemn  flow 

Of  sable  Hudson  greets  my  listening  ear. 

Hark  !  even  now  it  doth  the  silence  scare  1 

Thou  glorious  Hudson,  calm,  majestic  stream, 

On  to  the  ocean  let  thy  waters  bear ! 

E'en  while  I  gaze,  thy  shores  in  beauty  seem 

More  than  to  realize  some  bard's  enchanted  dream. 


164  WANDERINGS  AND  DREAMINGS. 

XXVII. 

Strange  were  my  thoughts,  as  by  the  silent  light 
That  gilds  at  night  the  star's  resplendent  steep, 
As  the  rushing  steamer  with  its  arms  of  might 
Did  through  the  sable  Hudson's  waters  sweep, 
Of  many  things  I  thought,  sad  things  and  deep ; 
That  evening  I  had  grasped  the  trembling  hand 
Of  an  early  friend,  the  last  that  I  should  greet 
Till  I  had  traversed  ocean's  pathways  grand, 
And  wandering  tread  o'er  many  a  distant  land, 

XXVIII. 

Dimly  the  stars  shone  on  that  Autumn  eve, 

For  clouds  and  darkness  veiled  the  brow  of  night, 

But  swift  could  Fancy  her  light  fabrics  weave, 

And  chase  her  thousand  victims  in  their  flight; 

But  mine  did  most  in  solemn  mood  delight, 

An'd  little  did  I  heed  the  lovely  shore 

Or  the  deep  river  rolling  in  its  might, 

Or  the  huge  enginery's  incessant  roar, 

For  mind  went  rambling  back  midst  happy  paths  of  yore, 

XXIX. 

The  midnight  winds  in  mournful  columns  swept, 

Their  viewless  bands  played  many  a  mournful  air 

As  on  the  steamer's  snowy  deck  I  stepped ; 

And  lo !  my  eyes  were  greeted  with  the  glare 

(Blazing  far  off  amidst  the  darkness  drear) 

Of  myriad  lights  burning  through  royal  streets ; 

And  then  I  knew  that  we  were  hastening  near 

The  Western  World's  metropolis — to  seats 

Where  commerce  dwells,  where  every  vice  and  virtue  meets. 


WANDERINGS  AND  DEEAMINGS.  165 

XXX. 

The  steamer  anchored,  and  all  to  depart  • 

Hastened ;  I  paused  a  little  space  to  hear 

The  throbbing  of  the  mighty  city's  heart, 

As  its  low  beating  fell  upon  my  ear 

In  ceaseless  murmurs,  solemn,  deep,  and  drear 

As  when  Vesuvius  breathes  her  sulphurous  breath 

Until  the  great  mountain  groans,  or  as  where 

The  midnight  storm  moans  through  some  forest  path, 

Or  where  the  eternal  waves  of  ocean  break  in  wrath. 

XXXL 

A  space  I  tarried  midst  the  busy  streets, 
And  gazed  upon  the  goodly  works  which  there, 
On  every  hand,  one's  wandering  glances  meet ; 
Some  dark  as  night,  some  like  the  morning,  fair, 
But  most  I  loved  to  wend  my  footsteps  where 
The  voiceless  monument  told  of  the  dead — 
Of  those  who  died  midst  the  storms  of  war, 
Or  where  by  flood  or  fire  Death's  shafts  were  sped, 
Or  where,  chased  bj  disease,  the  fearful  soul  had  fled. 

XXXIL 

How  long  I  gazed  upon  the  banners  hung  * 
In  token  of  a  nation's  latest  grief} 
Those  sable  ensigns  told  a  tale  which  wrung 
A  million  hearts  which  sought  in  vain  relief; 
For  he  who  midst  earth's  great  ones  was  a  chief, 
At  Marshfield  slept ;  nor  could  the  heaving  sea 
With  its  deep  murmurs  pierce  the  ear  so  deaf, 
Or  the  burning  lip  unseal,  or  ope  that  eye 
That  ever  kindled  at  the  voice  of  ocean  melody. 
•Norn-Written  October  30th,  1852. 


166  VTANDERINGS  AND   DREAMINOS. 

XXXIII. 

Great  WeDster!  rest  thee  by  the  hearing  sea! 

Thy  simple  tomb  is  sacred,  for  thy  mind 

On  earth  was  wreathed  with  folds  of  majesty, 

Fairer  than  e'er  on  royal  brow  was  twined, 

So  high,  so  wide,  so  deep,  and  so  refined. 

From  earliest  years  had  genius  loved  the  child, 

And  loving  him,  his  humble  lattice  climbed 

And  laid  her  signet  on  the  sleeper  mild,. 

Who  in  a  dream  first  seized  it  with  a  life-grasp  wild. 

XXXIY. 

It  kindled  in  his  raven  eye  its  light, 
Till  wondering  Senates  bowed  beneath  its  sheen,. 
The  Demon  of  Disunion  fled  its  might, 
And  sovereigns  made  obeisance  to  his  pen ; 
For  half  a  century  his  form  was  seen 
The  vanguard  of  his  nation  ;  by  the  day 
A  friendly  cloud  the  burning  sun  to  screen — 
At  night  a  "fiery  pillar"  on  the  way, 
Revealing  the  proud  hights  where  glory's  trophies  lay, 

XXXY. 

Perhaps  his  lip  had  not  the  silvery  stress 

Of  him  who  sleeps  by  wild  Kentucky's  caves, 

Whose  sweetness  stole  away  men's  hearts,  like  kiss. 

Of  maiden,  and  flowed  upon  the  soul  in  waves. 

Of  melody,  to  startle  and  amaze 

Imagination,  as  it  tries  to  grasp 

Those  burning  thoughts  that  from  his  great  mind  blazed, 

Like  floods  of  evening  twilight  through  the  trees. 

And  soft  as  the  low  chant  of  wild  birds  on  the  breeze. 


WANDERINGS  AND  DREAMINGS.  1  67 

XXXVI. 

May  be,  he  did  not  claim  so  fierce  a  soul 

As  Carolina's  proud  and  fiery  sage, 

Who  thought  to  rend  the  Union,  and  to  roll 

Its  fragments  back  upon  oblivion's  page — 

Back  where  they  had  slumbered  from  age  to  age, 

Till  Washington,  surrounded  by  that  band 

Which  watched  the  "ship  of  State"  amidst  the  rage 

Of  revolution,  raised  them  in  his  hand 

And  built  that  structure,  beautiful,  august  and  grand. 

XXXVII. 

That  structure,  beautiful  indeed  and  grand ! 

So  beautiful  that  distant  nations  view 

Its  shining  light  with  joy — unequaled  land, 

That  in  her  childhood  rent  her  chains,  and  threw 

Them  hence,  and  then  a  blast  of  Freedom  blew, 

So  loud,  that  earth  was  startled  from  the  spell 

That  tyranny  had  bound  her  in,  till  now 

On  every  breeze  there  comes  a  note  to  tell 

The  echoes  of  that  clarion  voice  still  break  and  swell. 

XXXVIII. 

But  Webster's  eloquence  was  like  the  peal 

Of  some  vast  organ  in  its  melody  ; 

Its  trumpet  echoes  o'er  the  soul  would  swell, 

And  then  come  back  in  their  deep  harmony, 

And  murmur  sacred  strains  to  memory ; 

His  solemn  words  fell  on  the  listening  ear 

In  tones  so  calm  that  more,  from  day  to  day, 

As  they  Mrere  pondered  on,  their  weight  did  bear, 

And  their  majestic  depths  unto  the  mind  appear. 


168  WANDERINGS  AND  DREAMINGS. 

XXXIX. 

But  he  seemed  ever  greatest  unto  me 

As  he  left  Fame's  honored  seats,  her  strifes  and  jars, 

And  sought  his  quiet  home  beside  the  sea, 

To  listen  as  its  murmurs  smote  his  ears, 

To  talk  at  evening  with  the  quiet  stars, 

Watching  the  flocks  and  herds  he  so  much  loved, 

Or  musing  on  the  fate  that  coming  years 

Would  roll  upon  his  country,  as  it  moved 

"Still  high  advanced1'  and  free,  by  no  fell  foe  disturbed. 

XL. 

And  then  the  calmness  of  that  fearful  hour, 
While  treading  down  the  pathway  dark  to  death, 
When  earthly  pomp,  and  majesty,  and  power, 
Supported  not,  nor  caused  the  struggling  breath 
To  journey  easier  up.     Oh!  it  doth  wreathe 
The  freshest  laurels  round  his  mighty  brow ! 
His  faults  are  all  forgotten,  and  beneath 
His  funeral  pall  a  thousand  hearts  o'erflow, 
And  through  the  land  there  rolls  one  plaintive  note  of  woe. 

XLI. 

'Twas  noon  in  Washington !     The  golden  rays 
Around  the  Capitol  in  splendor  swept ; 
All  o'er  its  domes  and  pinnacle  a  blaze 
Of  bright  effulgence  like  a  meteor  swept, 
On  the  monuments  of  marble  leaped, 
And  glittered  on  Potomac  in  its  flow, 
As  toward  the  bay  its  course  it  ceaseless  kept ; 
But  brighter  than  the  sunlight  was  the  glow 
Of  proud  and  beaming  eyes  that  flashed  up  from  below. 


WANDERINGS  AND  DREAMINGS.  169 

XLII. 

The  nation's  fair  and  mighty  ones  were  there — 

The  maiden  in  her  beauty,  gems  and  pride,     " 

The  hero  with  his  stern  and  gallant  air, 

The  Senator  with  haughty  look  and  stride, 

The  sage,  whose  burning  words  a  people  swayed, 

The  child,  the  youth,  the  venerable  old, 

Whose  life-streams  ebbed  close  down  to  death's  dark  tide, 

That  leaden  sea  whose  billows  drear  and  cold, 

Have  o'er  a  thousand  generations  broke  and  rolled. 

SLIII. 

Why  congregated  thus  those  peerless  ones — 
The  beautiful,  the  brave,  the  gorgeous  band? 
What  meant  the  booming  of  those  signal  guns  ? 
Why  swelled  that  heavenly  music  o'er  the  land  ? 
Why  stood  they  there  so  silent  and  so  grand? 
List  ye !  the  inaugural  hour's  begun — 
The  "helm  of  State"  obeys  another's  hand, 
The  solemn  oath  is  taken,  ail  is  done, 
An  hour  rolls  by — the  splendid  pageantry  is  gone. 

XLIV. 

In  a  little  space  the  same  scene  will  transpire  ; 
The  same  wild  joy  will  fill  a  nation's  breast, 
The  same  sun  kindle  then  its  glassy  fire 
On  Capitol  and  monumental  crest, 
And  on  the  sombre  domes  resplendent  rest ; 
Just  such  rich  strains  of  music  thrilling  sweet, 
Shall  float  upon  the  air  like  spirits  blest, 
Just  such  a  throng  shall  fill  the  crowded  street, 
The  same  Potomac  murmur  softly  at  their  feet. 


170  WANDERINGS  AND  DREAMINGS. 

XLT. 

But  there'll  he  vacancies  in  that  array — 

Vacancies  time  will  hesitate  to  fill ; 

Death  points  his  shafts  upon  the  noblest  prey, 

Far  on  the  shining  hights  of  glory's  hill, 

And  pomp,  and  power,  and  greatness  nought  avail, 

When  in  the  gloom  he  doth  his  terrors  shake, 

E'en  fame's  resplendent  shield  to  earth  doth  fall ; 

Oh,  why  could  not  his  bolts  o'er  peasants  quake, 

And  not  the  fairest  pillars  of  a  nation  break  ? 

XLVI. 

First,  Carolina's  joy,  the  proud  Calhoun, 
From  Senate  with  a  stately  tread  retired 
When  Death  announced  his  doom,  alas !  too  soon  ; 
Yet  with  a  haughty  look  the  sage  expired, 
And  to  tie  last  his  fearless  eye  was  fired, 
As  when  alone  a  Senate  he  defied 
With  lightning  glance,  and  lip  Genius  inspired, 
Ad  when  eternal  snows  from  Andes  glide, 
His  mighty  spirit  fled — in  majesty  he  died. 

XL  VI  I. 

And  next  the  generous  Taylor  heard  the  call, 

And  hearing,  hastened  quickly  to  obey. 

He  feared  not  Death  ;  he'd  seen  his  dread  bolts  fall, 

He'd  seen  him  midst  the  smoke  of  carnage  prey 

Exultingly  upon  the  heaps  which  lay 

Kent  by  the  winged  ball  or  sabre's  sweep. 

His  "duty  done,"  in  peace  he  passed  away; 

As  when  a  sudden  tempest  rends  the  deep, 

And  sinks  the  full  sailed  argosy,  he  fell  asleep. 


"WANDERINGS  AND  PREAMINGS. 
XLVIII. 

Insatiate  Death !     Next  on  Consumption's  wing, 

He  hovered  round  the  "Glory  of  tne  West," 

And  Ashland's  sage,  of  orators  the  king, 

Bowed  in  submission  to  the  stern  behest ; 

Death  hushed  alas  !  his  burning  lips  in  rest, 

And  robbed  the  splendors  from  the  eagle  eye, 

Whose  brilliances  could  ever  fire  the  breast ; 

As  sinks  the  sun  adown  the  sable  sky, 

Flooding  the  solemn  world  with  glory,  CLAY  did  die  ! 

XLIX. 

And  mighty  Webster  followed  him  anon  ; 
Death's  clarion  sounded  sweetly  in  his  ear ; 
He  felt  that  his  stupendous  works  were  done, 
He  knew  those  works  his  monument  would  rear, 
He  knew  his  name  wo  aid  be  a  spell-word  dear 
Unto  his  countrymen,  and  to  the  call 
Of  the  grim  foe,    he  bent  without  a  fear, 
And  passed  away  as  earth  will,  when  the  roll 
Of  Heaven's  chariot  resounds  from  pole  to  pole. 

L, 

And  many  another  high  and  shining  star 
Has  disappeared  from  out  that  cluster  bright, 
Which  spread  its  intellectual  light  afar, 
Amidst  the  darkness  of  the  nation's  night ; 
Spreading  adown  the  gloom  a  beacon  light ; 
That  shining  cluster,  that  majestic  band, 
The  common  eye  is  dazzled  by  the  sight. 
That  constellation,  beautiful  and  grand, 
The  rarest  earthly  work  of  the  Creator's  hand. 


WANDERINGS  AND  DUEAMINGS. 
LI. 

My  country!  if  thou  hast  no  mouldering  walls, 

Or  broken  columns  with  the  ivy  'twined, 

No  silent  temples  or  deserted  halls, 

Or  palaces  with  hieroglyphics  lined, 

Or  towers  collosal  to  acquaint  the  mind, 

With  works  performed  in  long  forgotten  years, 

To  mark  where  early  generations  pined, 

Where  mingled  with  the  peasants  sweat,  his  tears, 

Still  thou  hast  monuments  that  nobler  glory  bears. 

LII. 

For  Liberty  supremely  crowns  thy  hills, 
And  holds  her  court  beside  thy  rushing  streams, 
And  Virtue  from  her  heavenly  hight,  distills 
Upon  the  goodly  land  her  golden  beams ; 
Upon  each  lowly  spire  her  image  gleams. 
And  freedom's  ensigns  from  each  mount  doth  wave 
And  glory  watches  o'er  thy  shrines  ;  in  dreams 
Full  oft  I've  seen  her  sacred  splendors  lave, 
The  Hermitage,  and  hallowed  Mt.  Vernon's  grave. 


CANTO  SECOND. 


i, 

Eternal  ocean ;  now  from  earth  I  turn, 
I  seek  thy  changing  waves,  for  they're  like  me, 
Unsatisfied ;  repose  they  ever  shun ; 
Ruffled  by  every  breath  that  sweeps  o'er  thee  ; 
Thus  imaging  my  mind,  thou  fickle  sea ; 
My  mind  upon  which  fancy  loves  to  glide, 
As  love  the  winds  thy  waves  to  toss  in  gleeT 
Ebbing  and  flowing,  like  thy  restless  tide, 
Finding  no  rest,  but  breakers  stern  on  every  side. 

ii. 

Behold !  I'm  standing  on  a  vessel's  deck, 
The  hiss  of  steam  comes  fiercely  from  below, 
And  quickly  at  the  stern  commander's  beck 
The  seamen  with  their  cry  of  "  Yo  heave,  To," 
Each  plank  and  anchor  from  their  fastings  throw, 
And  from  her  mooring  breaks  the  mighty  ship, 
And  the  white  waves  behind  her  huge  wheels  flow, 
And  wild  before  the  prow  the  bubbles  skip, 
And  up  on  high  afar  the  frightened  spray  doth  leap. 


WANDERINGS  AND  DEEAMIXGS. 
III. 

And  now,  the  last  "farewell"  rings  from  the  shore, 
The  last  fair  hand  waves  o'er  a  fairer  brow ; 
And  the  huge  enginery's  increasing  roar 
Tells  that  the  ship  is  in  her  pathway  now, 
And  fiercely  through  the  waters  doth  she  plow  ; 
And  stretching  like  a  willing  steed  away, 
A  swath  of  foam  rolls  each  way  from  her  prow ; 
She  bursts  in  splendor  down  the  crowded  bay, 
And  seems  untaught  to  know  her  tortuous  way. 

IT. 

Park,  garden,  battery,  fade  upon  the  view; 
The  mighty  city  fast  doth  disappear ; 
The  lofty  spires  and  monuments  grow  few, 
And  nought  is  seen  along  the  shores,  where  rear 
A  thousand  stately  ships  their  masts,  and  sere, 
And  coldly  sweeps  across  the  deck,  the  wind ; 
And  through  the  heart  there  creeps  almost  a  fear, 
As  sinks  far,  far  abaft  the  solid  land, 
And  ocean's  billows  roll  before  so  dark  and  grand. 

v. 

I  gazed  around  me,  and  I  saw  the  tear 
Start  suddenly  from  many  a  silent  eye  ; 
And  sounds  of  smothered  weeping  shook  the  ear, 
As  from  a  few  hearts  overcharged,  the  sigh 
Broke  chokingly,  as  though  the  chords  which  tie 
About  the  heart  were  bound  upon  the  shore, 
And  one  by  one  were  breaking,  as  her  way 
The  vessel  sought,  and  on  toward  ocean  bore, 
Bursting  apart  each  billow  as  she  through  them  tore. 


WANDERINGS  AND  DNEAMINGS.  17  0 

VI. 

The  clouds  arc  gone ;  the  sun,  a  mass  of  fire, 
Hangs  for  a  moment  o'er  the  dreadful  waves  ; 
Then  slow  his  beauteous,  burning  beams  retire, 
As  if  to  pierce  the  deep  sea's  fearful  caves ; 
Perhaps  to  light  the  solemn  ocean's  graves. 
The  stars  come  one  by  one,  out  on  the  sky, 
Each  shining  gem  that  heaven's  great  surface  paves ; 
The  solemn  moon  sweeps  through  her  course  on  high, 
And  with  the  ocean's  anthem  blends  the  sea  birds  cry. 

VII. 

The  deck  is  quite  deserted,  for  the  air 
Comes  coolly  from  the  surface  of  the  deep ; 
But  I  must  watch  on  high  each  wandering  star 
That  dances  through  the  night  while  mortals  sleep. 
In  measures  vast  and  beautiful  they  sweep, 
Their  music  is  the  murmuring  of  the  spheres, 
Their  mighty  hall  is  Heaven's  resplendent  steep, 
And  thus  they  circle  on  through  endless  years, 
Shining  upon  the  heaven's  pure  brow  like  angels'  tears, 

VIII. 

Ah  !  strange  the  thoughts  that  fill  the  dreamy  mind, 

As  the  first  night  we  journey  on  the  deep ; 

The  heart  is  beating  for  the  home  behind, 

Too  loud  to  let  the  weary  eye-lid  sleep; 

And  the  courageous  soul  takes  in  its  sweep 

A  future  life,  and  paints  in  colors  gay, 

Fair  thrones  of  beauty  on  Hope's  hills  that  keep, 

Howe'er  we  turn,  directly  in  our  way,  [lay. 

Entwined  with  Glory's  wreaths,  echoing  with  Fame's  proud 


176  WANDERINGS  AND  DREAMINGS. 

IX. 

But  morning  dawns  at  last  upon  the  wave, 

And  naught  appears  except  the  rolling  tides 

Which  foam  and  beat  against  the  ship,  and  lave 

With  briny  torrents  her  unyielding  sides, 

And  through  the  merry  white-caps  swift  she  glides  ; 

The  clouds  in  masses  sweep  adown  the  sky, 

In  dark  battalions  as  a  squadron  rides 

To  battle — on  their  dusky  columns  fly, 

Till  they're  o'erwhelmed  at  last  where  the  sea-demons  lie. 

x. 

'Tis  morning,  and  the  Sabbath  morning,  too  ; 
That  sacred  day  Jehovah  framed  for  rest ; 
When  earth,  completed,  first  her  orbit  knew, 
And  God  looked  on  it  from  his  throne  and  blessed 
The  work,  and  all  the  joyful  stars  confessed 
In  songs  of  praise,  the  reverence  due  that  power, 
Which  from  oblivion  at  his  high  behest, 
Could  bring  a  constellation  in  an  hour, 
And  make  its  path  through  space,  harmonious,  secure, 

XI. 

How  sweetly  sounds  the  anthem  on  the  sea ; 

So  thrilling  are  its  tones,  so  low  and  rare  { 

And  now  the  minister  on  bended  knee, 

In  earnest  supplication  murmurs  there, 

Upon  the  rolling  deck,  the  fervent  prayer, 

That  He  who  rules  the  ocean  and  the  storm, 

YJould  from  our  pathway  every  danger  clear ; 

And  stretching  o'er  us  his  Almighty  arm 

Would  keep  us  with  his  power  from  every  sin  and  harm. 


WANDERINGS  AND  DREAMINGS.  177 

XII. 

The  Sabbath  and  the  ocean  blend  not  well ; 

Methinks  some  quiet  valley  suits  it  best ; 

An  humble  church,  a  solemn  tolling  bell, 

The  thrilling  chant,  the  prayer  and  anthem  blest, 

And  not  this  wilderness,  this  endless  waste 

Of  turbid  billows  surging  in  their  might ; 

More  like  some  phalanx  in  disgraceful  haste, 

Seeking  for  safety  in  tumultuous  flight, 

And  dashing  'gainst  each  other  in  their  mad  affright. 

XIII. 

Much  did  I  think  that  morn  of  those  on  shore, 

And  that  one  little  band  remembered  me  I  knew, 

And  talked  of  me,  as  with  its  angry  roar 

The  winter  tempest  round  their  dwelling  blew  ; 

I  felt  a  solitary  tear  bedew 

My  cheek,  I  know  not  why  it  came,  or  how  ; 

Perhaps  it  was  a  broken  wave,  that  threw 

A  briny  drop  upon  me  from  below, 

Or  but  the  spray  that  flew  back  from  the  steamer's  prow. 

XIY. 

But  in  my  fancy's  eye,  the  almond  tree 
I  saw  in  blossom  on  my  father's  head, 
For  seventy  years  had  bleached  it,  (aye,  I  see 
The  tears  e'en  now,  which  down  his  sad  cheeks  sped, 
When  tremblingly  the  last  farewell  he  said ;) 
And  methought  my  stern  brothers,  when  they  saw 
The  books  I  loved,  the  strings  I  rudely  played, 
Remembered  me  ;  and  sweet  above  the  flow 

Of  waves,  I  heard  a  sister's  prayer  come  soft  and  low. 
13 


178  WANDERINGS  AND  DREAMINGS. 

XT. 

/  A  Bister's  prayers !     Alas !  they  sound  no  more, 
Unless  beyond  the  solemn  grave  they  plead, 
Upon  that  silent  and  mysterious  shore, 
Where  spirits  when  from  this  poor  body  freed, 
Upon  the  wings  of  thought  exulting  speed, 
For  they  have  gone  to  join  those  shining  bands, 
That  in  God's  Paradise  forever  lead  ; 
(While  vast  eternity  runs  out  its  sands ;) 
A  life  of  ceaseless  joy  with  love-clasped  hearts  and  hands. 

XVI. 

Eternity  !  I  see  thy  emblem  here, 

Around  me  in  old  ocean's  face  ; 

These  awful  waters  look  all  blue  and  drear 

As  when  Jehovah  first  their  paths  did  trace,  *   . 

And  flung  them  whirling  on  through  endless  space ; 

The  same  as  when  he  formed  them  with  the  land, 

And  blessed  them  from  the  fountains  of  his  grace ; 

As  when  they  first  obeyed  his  dread  command, 

And  rolled  all  deep  and  pure  from  his  Almighty  hand. 

XVII. 

What  treasures  thou  hast  hoarded  up,  old  sea  ! 
How  many  gallant  hearts  have  ceased  to  beat 
Down  where  thy  monsters  hold  their  revelry ; 
Down  where  thy  tempests  when  they're  spent,  retreat. 
Who  knows  what  jewels  thy  dread  caves  secrete, 
Or  who  can  trace  thy  channels  deep  and  dread  ? 
Or  who  can  stay  thy  billows  in  their  sweep  ? 
What  means  the  solemn  chanting  of  thy  flood  ? 
Is  it  a  ceaseless  anthem  to  thy  maker,  God  ? 


^WANDERINGS  AND  DREAMINGS.  179 

XVIII, 

Perhaps  it  is;  could  but  a  mortal  ear 

Be  tuned  to  thy  tremendous  melody  ; 

Could  we  but  comprehend  the  voice  we  hear, 

When  the  sad  winds  along  thy  surges  fly, 

When  wave  and  wind,  together  blend  and  sigh  ; 

May  be,  'twould  be  to  us  a  prelude  given  ; 

A  strain  majestic  of  the  song  on  high, 

Whose  tones  sublime,  like  far  off  thunder  driven, 

Flow  'midst  the  splendors  and  the  gorgeous  scenes  of  heaven. 

XIX. 

'Tis  eve  again ;  another  golden  day, 

Followed  by  another  star-lit  night, 

And  stormy  Hatteras  in  our  wake  doth  lay. 

And  o'er  the  deck  a  warm  breeze  takes  its  flight. 

Another  day  soft  isles  appear  in  sight, 
Basking  in  fragrance  midst  those  sunny  seas, 

And  the  strong  vessel  lightening  of  her  freight, 

And  pressed  abaft  by  a  propitious  breeze, 

In  gloom  and  grandeur  sweeps  adown  the  sable  seas. 

xx. 

Upon  the  ninth  morn  we  #woke,  and  lo ! 
Our  ocean  castle  rested  on  the  bay ; 
The  waters  slept  about  her  tired  prow ; 
The  weary  enginery  had  ceased  to  play, 
As  if  fatigued  by  the  long  billowy  way, 
For  she  had  brought  us  from  the  snow  crowned  north, 
To  where  perpetual  summer  holds  its  sway  ; 
From  where  fierce  winter's  storms  in  wrath  go  forth, 
To  where  rich  flowers  eternal  bloom  to  robe  the  earth. 


180  WANDERINGS  ANP  DREAMINOS. 

XXI. 

Three  days  we  wandered  on  that  Isthmus  vile  ; 

Three  days,  whose  horrors  I  will  not  repeat ; 

That  place  e'er  blessed  with  Nature's  kindest  smile, 

That  place  where  Nature's  richest  beauties  meet, 

And  yet,  where  sin  and  sickness  keep  their  seat, 

'Midst  winding  paths,  o'er  stream,  defile  and  rock, 

We  toiled  with  scarce  a  sound  the  ear  to  greet, 

Save  where  a  Native's  cry  the  silence  broke, 

Or  when  the  thunders  'midst  the  hills  their  mutteringa  woke, 

XXII. 

At  length  the  western  ocean  came  in  view, 

And  tile-roofed  Panama  before  vis  rose  ; 

Dilapidated  City,  the  mildew 

Rests  on  thee,  the  flower  'midst  ivy  grows 

On  thy  strong  walls  ;  the  strangers  foot  doth  rouse 

The  liz^ard  sleeping  by  thy  crumbling  gate ; 

The  dust  of  years  upon  thy  shrines  repose  ; 

Thou  seem'st  a  city  of  an  earlier  date,  [late. 

And  lingering,  crest-bow'd,  'midst  these  modern  years  too 

XXIII. 

I  thought,  while  standing  on  the  moss-bound  wall, 

By  those  old  guns  that  frown    off  o'er  the  sea, 

Of  Spain,  weak  empire,  tottering  to  its  fall ; 

And  Spain,  two  centuries  since,  e'er  luxury 

Made  weak  the  glorious  arm  of  chivalry ; 

And  then  I  gazed  about  me,  sick  at  heart, 

For  nations  flourish  but  to  pass  away, 

As  doth  the  insect  in  the  sun-beam  dart 

It's  hour  of  life,  and  die;  so  realms  rise  and  depart. 


WANDERINGS  AND  DREAMINGS.  181 

XXIV. 

'How  long,  my  country,  will  thy  stars  arise  ? 
How  long  thy  eagles,  will  they  face  the  sun  ? 
How  long  before  the  storms  which  cloud  thy  skies 
Will  burst  on  thee  and  thy  proud  race  be  run? 
Aye  !  will  it  end,  as  glorious  as  it  begun, 
When  Truth  and  Justice ,  marching  hand  in  hand, 
Steeled  the  stern  sword  of  God-like  Washington  ; 
While  Freedom  stretched  her  seeptcr  o'er  the  land, 
And  bound  mountain  and  valley  with  a  rosy  band, 

xxv. 

But  cease  these  dreams !     Once  more  upon  the  sea, 
Once  more  with  joy  we  walk  a  snowy  deck; 
Above  us  waves  our  country's  ensign  free  ; 
Their  happiness,  a  thousand  glad  lips  speak. 
The  eagle  on  the  prow  doth  dip  his  beak 
In  every  passing  surge's  foaming  crest ; 
From  wave  to  wave,  the  gorgeous  ship  doth  break, 
In  gloom  and  grandeur  down  the  ocean's  breast 
As  the  sun  in  seas  of  gold  rides  down  the  azure  west. 

XXVI. 

Tis  eve !  and  the  moon,  like  a  ship  of  the  sky, 
A  spirit,  her  master  sails  through  the  night, 
And  rides  up  the  billows  of  space,  which  lay 
'Twixt  earth's  dark  shores  and  heaven's  awful  hight. 
And  sure,  it  is  a  most  enchanting  sight ; 
The  moon,  the  stars,  the  steamer  and  the  deep, 
All  moving  on  in  grandeur  and  in  might, 
As  if  on  spirit  messages  they  sweep, 
Disturbing  .the  hushed  hours  that  mortals  sleep 


WANDERINGS  AND  DREAMING®, 
XXVII. 

I  loved  to  lean  across  the  taffrail  stern 

At  night,  and  gaze  into  the  depths  below, 

And  watch  the  phosphor  fires  which  seemed  to  buray 

Where  from  the  vessel's  keel,  the  swift  waves  flow 

In  rainbow  colors,  blue  and  green,  and  snow  ; 

•  -'  /k. 

And  some,  whose  boiling  heads  seemed  all  on  fire, 
As  back  the  thundering  wheels,  the  foam,  would  throw 
Twixt  Art  and  Nature;  that  incessant  ire, 
Ah  !  there's  in  it,  what  must  for'er  the  soul  inspire* 

XXVIII. 

Something  exciting  1     Hear  the  steady  roar 

Of  the  tremendous  enginery,  whose  might 

Doth  make  the  huge  ship  shake  in  every  pore  ; 

As  crashing  through  the  waves-  she  takes  her  flight 

rGainst  wind  and  mountain-billow  ;  oh  !   how  bright 

Man's  genius  blazes  in  a  work  so  vast  I 

To  keep  its  path  at  sea  through  storms  and  night, 

Unheeding  tropic  wind,  or  polar  blast, 

And  allunhelped  by  snowy  sail  or  towering  mast. 

XXIX. 

Thus  sailed  we  on  for  days,  the  sea  was  still ; 

In  dance  and  revelry,  rolled  by  the  hours, 

And  oft  would  music  o'er  the  waters  steal, 

As  the  "  God  of  day  "  sunk  'neath  his  em'rald  bowers, 

And  the  "queen  of  night"  came  rising  from  the  towers 

Of  adamant,  that  skirt  the  ocean's  coast, 

Which,  rising  up  in  rude,  disjointed  layers, 

Seem  like  the  fragments  of  a  mighty  host, 

The  debris  of  an  army,  when  the  battle  's  lost,. 


WANDERINGS  AND  DREAMINGS.  183 

XXX. 

At  length,  an  entrance  opens  in  the  shore, 

And  through  a  winding  channel  we  proceed, 

Meandering  on  until  behold,  before 

Us,  Acapulco  rises  ;  rude  it  seems  indeed, 

For  here  the  earthquake  hath  its  trembling  led, 

And  every  house  is  tottering  to  a  fall, 

And  prostrate  neath  the  unseen  monster's  tread, 

A  city  lies  ;  while  round  their  altars  kneel 

The  dark  eyed  senoritas,  mingling  prayer  with  wail. 

XXXI. 

Short  space  we  tarried  in  that  wretched  place, 

Wretched  alas!  although  the  fairest  flowers 

Do  the  bright  breezes,  with  their  blossoms,  court, 

And  birds  of  gorgeous  plumage  fill  the  bowers 

Of  each  old  palm  and  orange  grove,  that  towers 

In  wonderful  luxuriousness  on  high, 

Shedding  their  fragrance  in  perpetual  showers 

Of  softest  sweetness  on  the  passer  by —  [age  lie  ! 

How  sad,  where  Nature  seems  so  gay,  men's  souls  inbond- 

XXXII. 

And  now  the  midnight  watch  is  tolling  drear ; 

How  solemn  the  vibrations  of  that  bell ! 

And  yonder  mariner  says  Death  is  near, 

That  those  harsh  sounds  most  surely  are  a  knell, 

Ringing  a  requiem  to  a  parting  soul ; 

Deep  in  the  ship  a  youth  is  dying  now, 

The  waves  of  Death  around  him  break  and  swell, 

They  fling  their  icy  spray  upon  his  brow, 

And  bear  his  breath  away  in  one  wild  overflow. 


184  WANDERINGS  AND  DREAMINGS. 

XXXIII. 

Come,  gather  near !  behold  a  scene  of  death  ! 

See  o'er  the  pallid  corse  the  mother  bend, 

And  though  those  lips  are  moistened  by  no  breath, 

A  sister  fondly  kisses  them ;  a  brother's  hand 

Is  clasped  within  the  cold  one  firm;  how  blend 

Those  beating  hearts  around  the  still  one  there, 

And  while  without  the  billows  break  and  rend, 

And  midnight  hangs  her  mantle  on  the  air, 

They  kneel  and  mingle  for  the  parted  soul,  a  prayer, 

XXXIT. 
v 

Anon  the  morning  dawns ;  the  glorious  sun 

Rises  in  grandeur  from  the  rock-bound  hill ; 
And  o'er  waves  of  water,  waves  of  sun-beams  run ; 
And  see,  upon  the  guards,  close  by  the  wheel, 
The  dead  is  laid,  and  all  is  hushed  and  still. 
The  rude  shroud  hides  from  view  the  ghastly  brow  ; 
He  heeds  no  more  his  anguished  mother's  call ; 
The  service  said,  they  raise  the  plank  and  draw 
Aside  the  sable  flag — he's  gone  forever  now. 

XXXV. 

There's  sadness  in  the  vessel  as  she  reels, 
A3  if  intoxicated,  on  her  course, 
And  every  heart  a  heavy  sorrow  feels, 
And  many  a  tear  comes  from  its  secret  source, 
And  journeys  down  an  anxious  cheek  per  force. 
The  dance  has  ceased,  and  music's  joyful  tone 
Has  changed  to  one  all  plaintive  o'er  the  corse, 
Which  but  an  hour  since,  from  the  guard  was  thrown, 
To  moulder  amidst  ocean's  dreadful  depths  alone. 


WANDERINGS  AND  DREAMINGS.  185 

XXXVI. 

And  when  hot  noon  again  shone  on  the  deck, 

Another  died,  a  noble,  cheerful  man  ; 

He'd  kissed  a  farewell  on  his  fond  wife's  cheek; 

He'd  pressed  their  infant  to  his  breast,  and  then 

With  eye  on  fortune's  goal  he  ran. 

Alas !    his  path  was  by  the  gates  of  Death ! 

He'll  fold  those  dear  ones  to  his  breast  again 

No  more  ;  for  in  the  stately  vessel's  path 

His  bones  are  whitening  now,  the  wild  waves  far  beneath. 

XXXVII. 

Perhaps  in  dreams  of  bliss  his  soul  went  out ; 

May  be  his  childhood's  home  was  in  his  eye  ; 

Perhaps  the  bellowing  ocean  seemed  the  shout 

Of  his  loved  children,  in  their  ecstacy, 

As  when  at  eve  they  came  and  climbed  his  knee  : 

Perhaps  he  woed  again  his  bride  at  even, 

And  saw  her  gaze  on  him  confidingly, 

As  when  at  first  her  maiden  faith  was  given.         [Heaven. 

From  dreams  like  these    'twere  hardly  sweet  to  wake  iu 

XXXVIII. 

Gold  !  How  many  heart-strings  have  been  broken 

In  search  of  thec  !     What  dangers  mortals  dare 

To  garner  thee,  at  best  a  sordid  token, 

Which  soon  must  pass  away.     However  fair 

It  beams  upon  the  eye,  'twill  not  prepare 

The  soul  of  man  for  its  high  destinies  ; 

The  bowers  of  paradise,  effulgent,  rare, 

Need  not  its  beauties,  for  those  azure  skies 

Are  flooded  with  a  glory  which  ne'er  fades  nor  dies. 


WANDERINGS  AND  DREAMINGS. 
XXXIX. 

That  land  of  everlasting  happiness ; 

What  mind  of  man  can  comprehend  that  thought; 

What  lip  of  eloquence  could  e'er  express 

The  bliss  with  which  that  syllable  is  wrought  ? 

The  bliss,  the  happiness,  where  never  aught 

Of  sorrow  or  of  suffering  can  come  ; 

That  land  that  doth  the  weary  soul  await, 

A  beautiful,  and  an  eternal  home, 

Beyond  the  folding  doors  of  death  and  silent  tomb. 


XL. 


And  now  a  cooler  breeze  brings  greeting  dear, 

And  California's  gulf  lies  on  our  right, 

Paved  with  its  floor  of  pearls,  which  pure  and  clear, 

Gladden  the  fisherman's  eager  sight ; 

And  farther  than  the  gulf  in  awful  might 

The  mountains  tower  that  skirt  the  rocky  coast, 

The  sea  birds  round  the  vessel  take  their  flight, 

Their  sable  pinions  in  the  cold  spray  toss'd, 

Or  rising  gaily  up,  are  'midst  the  stretched  sails  lost. 

XLI. 

Tvvas  suu-set  off  St.  Lucas;  and  by  heaven, 
A  fairer  twilight  ne'er  pleased  mortal  eye  ; 
A  line  of  light,  a  sable  cloud  had  riven, 
And  like  a  sea  of  sapphire  shone  the  sky, 
In  splendid  and  celestial  panoply. 
Some  gifted  angel  must  have  sketched  that  scene  ; 
Some  artist  wandering  from  his  seat  on  high. 
I've  seen  the  day  die,  oft,  but  ne'er  I  ween, 
Saw  I  her  dying  brow  so  fair  andjso  serene. 


WANDERINGS  AND  DKEAMINGS.  i£ 

XLII. 

The  sun  had  gone,  and  yet  his  thousand  beams 

Seemed  to  support  the  west  with  studs  of  gold, 

And  crimson,  purple,  azure  tinted  streams 

In  swift  succession  o'er  the  fair  sky  roll'd, 

In  panorama,  wondrous  to  behold  ; 

And  the  sea,  to  westward  heaved  in  waves  of  fire, 

And  the  irou-bound  shore,  rock-ribbed,  and  bold, 

Blazed  like  a  vast  volcanic  chain  in  ire, 

Or  like  the  closing  day's  bright-lighted  funeral  pyre-. 

XLIIJ. 

And  soft  the  breeze  comes  o'er  the  ocean  now, 
And  every  sail's  unfurled  above,  beneath, 
Until  the  canvass  seems  like  wreaths  of  snow 
Folded  upon  some  mountain  of  the  earth  ; 
And  the  fierce  engines  breathe  their  fiery  breath, 
And  the  good  ship  by  double  pressure  driven, 
Bursts  through  the  billows  like  a  bolt  of  death, 
When  God  in  anger  hath  a  planet  riven, 
And  rent  a  world  in  twain,  in  the  high  fields  of  Heaven. 

XLIV. 

But,  hark  I     Along  the  deck  rolls  a  command, 
The  seamen  mount  aloft  with  eager  haste, 
And  loose  the  tightened  sails  with  rapid  hand, 
And  closely  reefing  them,  secure  them  last 
Against  each  branching  spar  and  bending  mast. 
A  tempest  lurks  in  yonder  inky  cloud, 
The  ship  is  headed  to  withstand  the  blast, 
The  rising  wind  sweeps  through  each  moaning  shroud, 
And  the  thunder  o'er  the  ocean  mutters  long  and  loud. 


188  WANDERINGS  AND  DREAMINGS. 

XLT. 

And  listen !     O'er  the  ocean  comes  a  sound, 
Awful  as  the  arch-angel's  trump  of  doom 
Shall  be,  when  earth  her  cycles  all  unwound, 
Wrapped  in  her  flame  sinks  to  oblivion's  tomb ; 
But  this  is  the  approaching  tempest's  boom  ; 
See  all  around  the  troubled  ocean  boil ; 
The  waves  go  surging  past,  and  the  white  foam 
Bursts  from  their  hundred  mouths,  as  when  in  toil 
A  thousand  wild  steeds  strain  the  hunters  skill  to  foil. 

XLVI. 

^.nd  night  is  settling  down  in  rayless  gloom, 
And  clouds  are  covering  all  the  dusky  sky  ; 
And  like  the  vanguard  of  a  host,  anon, 
The  white-capped  surges  splash  and  thunder  by, 
And  fearful  roars  the  agitated  sea  ; 
The  steamer's  prow  is  turned  away  from  laud ; 
The  viewless  winds  their  dread  reveille  play, 
And  lo !  that  mighty  pibroch,  shrill  and  grand, 
Calls  as  the  battle-trumpet  calls,  each  wandering  band. 

XLVII. 

)( 'Ocean  has  called  up  all  her  storms  to-night ; 
Oh  !  see  the  huge  waves  bound  along  her  breast, 
And  as  they  strike  the  ship,  their  giant  might 
Doth  all  her  strength  of  fire  and  steam  arrest, 
And  trembling  on  the  waves  from  tallest  mast 
To  lowest  hold,  she  creaks  in  every  beam  ; 
And  like  an  eagle  with  a  shaft-pierced  breast, 
Fluttering  upon  the  plain  with  dying  scream, 
So  she  upon  the  waves  did  moaningly  careen. 


WANDERINGS  AND  PREAMINGS.  189 

XLVIII. 

The  storm  doth  thicken  with  the  deepening  night, 

Till  midnight  closes  down,  awful  and  drear ; 

Ye  who,  at  such  a  time,  in  all  its  might, 

Have  seen  the  tempest  o'er  the  ocean  bear ; 

Have  felt  the  planks  beneath  you  lift  and  rear, 

Have  heard  the  war  of  elements,  the  roar 

Of  winds  arid  waters  battling  afar, 

Did  ye  not  fear  at  such  an  hour  ?     How  poor 

Was  human  strength,  when  Nature's  forces  'gainst  it  bore, 

XLIX. 

Who  knows  but  what  the  ocean  worships  now, 
The  God  who  framed  the  elements,  and  binds 
The  dusky  billows  in  their  glorious  flow, 
Who  holds  within  His  hands  the  sweeping  winds. 
Hark  to  the  anthem  \  which  so  solemn  hymns 
A  song  of  praise  up  to  Jehovah's  ear ; 
Perhaps  it  echoes  heaven's  awful  strain, 
When  angel  and  arch-angel  bows  in  fear  ; 
When  the  "  organ  of  eternity  "  rolls  deep  and  clear. 

L. 

Surge  breaks  on  surge,  and  wave  on  wave  doth  beat, 
The  waters  rave,  the  billows  break  around, 
And  like  a  mountain  lifted  from  its  seat 
And  hurled  upon  the  world  in  fragments  down, 
By  some  strong  earthquake  from  its  proud  hight  thrown  ; 
So  seemed  that  night  the  tempest-ridden  sea ; 
As  if  its  secret  spring  were  all  up  thrown, 
And  its  lowest  fountains  opened  wide  and  free, 
Had  mingled  with  the  winds  to  make  wild  minstrelsy. 


WANDERINGS  AND  DREAMINGS. 
LI. 

And  not  a  star  of  all  the  heavenly  host 

Appears  above,  to  gladden  us  to-night ; 

And  e'en  the  moon's  pale  splendors  all  are  lost ; 

Upon  the  reeling  mast  a  lamp's  dull  light 

Only  adds  horror  to  the  dismal  night ; 

The  eight  bells  strike  on  deck  their  midnight  peal ; 

While  racked  by  sickcess,  anguish  and  affright, 

Weak  women  in  their  painful  couches  wail, 

And  strong  men,  trembling,  listen  to  the  warring  gale. 

LII. 

As  day  appears,  the  ship  is  turned  toward  land, 
Yet  cautiously  and  fearfully  keeps  on  her  way, 
For  a  rnist  hangs  down  so  dense  on  every  hand, 
Folding  upon  the  sea  her  cloak  of  gray. 
The  dark  night  seems  still  struggling  with  day ; 
The  sea  birds,  with  their  wings  so  dark  and  large, 
Sweep  round  us,  then  exulting  soar  away. 
And  see,  Oh !  fearful  night,  yon  breakers  surge 
On  the  bold  shore,   making  a  dismal  and  perpetual  dirge. 

LIII. 

And  if  our  vessel  strikes,  farewell  our  dreams  ! 
Her  beauty  and  her  strength  will  nought  avail, 
For  rent  in  twain,  her  fragments  may  be  seen, 
But  none  of  all  on  board  shall  tell  the  tale, 
How,  when  the  tempest  did  the  sea  assail, 
The  beautiful  leviathan  was  lost ; 
How  storm-wrapped  ocean,  angered  in  a  gale, 
The  noble  ship  upon  the  breakers  toss'd, 
And  stove  her  oaken  beams  upon  the  rock-bound  coast. 


WANDERINGS  AND  DEEAMINGS.  I  VM 

LIV. 

But  when  the  wild  winds  warred  o'er  Gallilee, 

Though  all  their  tempests  spent  their  fury  there, 

They  quailed  before  the  flashing  of  one  eye  ; 

They  yielded  to  a  voice  that  low  and  clear, 

Spake  in  a  tone  of  half  command,  half  prayer, 

And  bade  the  angry  elements,   "Be  still!" 

Who  knows,  but  that  voice  sounds  in  ocean's  ear 

This  morn,  and  doth  its  waters  thrill, 

As  when  two  thousand  years  ago  they  yielded  to  His  will  ? 

LV. 

Howe'er,  it  was  within  the  Golden  Gate 
The  steamer  moored,  and  stepping  from  the  plank, 
We  felt  how  gentle  after  all  was  fate, 
And  in  our  secret  hearts,  did  Heaven  thank, 
That  we  were  numbered  not  with  those  that  sank 
In  the  great  vessel's  pathway  up  the  deep, 
Or  that  the  sea  when  with  the  tempest  rank 
Did  not  o'erwhelm  us  with  one  mighty  sweep, 
And  make  our  graves  down  Avhere  her  Naiad's  vigils  keep, 

LVI. 

For  many  days  there  rung  upon  my  ear 
A  sound,  as  when  the  angeredflsea  doth  rave ; 
The  sobbing  of  the  billows  I  could  hear 
As  was  the  ocean's  wont  the  ship  to  lave  ; 
But  she  was  strong,  as  beautiful,  and  brave, 
Her  oaken  beams  did  meet  the  seas,  for  she 
Was  built  for  strife  and  conflict  with  the  wave, 
Her  only  home  is  where  the  restless  sea 
Doth  with  the  winds  and  storms  unite  in  revelry. 


192  WANDEBINGS  AND    DREAMINGS. 

LTII. 

I  gave  one  look  back  on  the  structure  grand, 
That  had  upheld  us  o'er  the  billowy  .waste  ; 
It  seemed  not  like  the  work  of  mortal  hand, 
So  beautiful,  so  huge,  so  full  of  taste, 
From  lowest  keel  to  highest,  proudest  mast; 
The  eagle  on  the  prow,  with  wings  outspread 
Seemed  to  exult  o'er  all  the  storms  it  faced. 
Brave  palace  of  the  wave,  may'st  thou  be  sped 
Safe,  when  storms  beat,  and  winds  their  legions  lead. 


MATILDA  HERON. 


i. 

Lady,  farewell !  brief  was  thy  visit  here ; 

But  long  a  voice  within  our  hearts  shall  tell, 
That  while  we  gazed  on  thee,  within  a  sphere 

Of  purer  radiance,  we  seemed  to  dwell. 

ii. 
Thou  wilt  go  hence,  perhaps,  beyond  the  main, 

Perhaps  thou'lt  visit  Albion's  fame-wreathed  isle, 
Where  glory's  trumpet  strikes  its  loudest  strain ; 

Where  honor  loves  her  trophies  rare  to  pile. 

in. 
And  when  thou'rt  there,  'midst  scenes  so  beautiful 

To  mortal  eye,  'midst  memories  so  sublime, 
Where  bards  immortal  tuned  their  harp  to  swell 

Such  melodies  as  shall  survive  through  Time, 

IV. 

There  where  the  ocean  breaks  upon  that  shore, 
As  'twere  to  echo  back  their  deathless  lays, 

'Midst  the  sweet  halo  that  is  fojded  o'er 
The  clustering  deeds  of  those  first  glorious  days, 

14 


194  MATILDA    IIKRON. 

V. 

Wilt  thou  in  fancy  turn  thee  back  again, 

Of  thy  far  wandering  on  our  shores  to  dream, 

Of  a  little  city  'midst  a  flower-clad  plain, 

Through  which  o'er  golden  sands  there  flows  a  stream  ? 

VI. 

While  farther  on,  some  cold,  blue  mountains  rise, 
Their  brows  enwreathed  with  everlasting  snow, 

Supporting  with  their  azure  wall,  the  skies, 
While  untold  treasures  fill  their  vaults  below. 

VII. 

Thou  may'st  not  then  recall  the  day  thou  strayed 
An  almost  friendless  girl  to  this  Far  West ; 

When  thy  wrung  soul  in  weariness  assayed 

To  brave  the  waves  that  broke  upon  thy  breast. 

VIII. 

But  should  Indifference  coldly  on  thee  stare  ; 

Should  Envy  freeze  thee  with  her  icy  frown  ; 
Should  Malice  or  Oprobrium  meet  thee  there, 

And  sweet  Applause  take  back  her  magic  crown, 

IX. 

Then  come  again,  and  we  will  welcome  thee 

In  strains  more  sweet  than  those  we  woke  before, 
For  we,  to  Genius,  ever  bend  the  knee, 

And  Mind,  in  its  true  majesty  adore. 

x. 
As  did  Minerva,  spring  complete  from  Jove, 

So  thou  did'st  blaze  before  our  startled  eyes, 
The  perfect  child  of  Genius  thou  dost  move, 

Still  bathed  in  radiance  from  thy  native  skies- 


MATILDA    HKROX.  195 

XI. 

At  times,  as  fearful  as  the  lurid  glare 

Of  scorching  lightnings  on  the  storm-vexed  night, 
Or,  when  the  storm  has  passed,  as  soft  and  fair 

As  e'er  was  harvest  moon  or  sweet  twilight. 

XII. 

Grand  in  the  uinjesty  of  thy  high  form, 
Or  the  thrilling  melodies  of  thy  deep  voice 

When  it  in  anger  wakes  a  moving  storm, 
Or  when  in  sport  it  playful  bids  rejoice. 

XIII. 

Grand,  in  the  luster  of  thy  soul-lit  eye, 

Whose  depths  and  splendor  tongue  can  never  tell ; 

Lightnings  and  sun-beam  in  them  mingled  play, 
And  there  expression  loves  to  come  and  dwell. 

XIV. 

Grand  in  the  gesture  of  thy  lilly  hand, 

Thy  speaking  face  that  doth  each  thought  portray, 
Where  every  passion  seems  to  wave  its  wand, 

And  for  its  moment  holds  despotic  sway. 

xv. 
And  still,  through  all,  there  is  a  depth  of  sou1, 

A  gentle  heart  full  oft  there  is  revealed, 
An  angel  glory  'neath  the  earthly  fold, 

Too  dazzling  and  too  bright  to  be  concealed. 

XVI. 

Sometimes  while  gazing  on  thee,  I  have  dreamed 
Thou  wert  not  what  thou  seenrst  to  mortal  eyes, 

But  one  come  back  to  us  from  the  redeemed, 
With  step  and  robes,  like  those  in  Paradise. 


196  MATILDA    HERON. 

XVII. 

Thou  eeem'st  like  one  to  whom  in  sunny  youth, 
All  our  hear 1*?  wealth  in  a  vast  love  was  given ; 

Who  for  a  season  plighted  truth  for  truth, 
Then  went  away  to  join  the  bands  of  Heaven. 

XVIII. 

Say,  art  thou  her,  say,  did'st  thou  leave  that  band  ? 

All  heaven's  melodies,  pomp,  glory,  love  ? 
But  hush !  I'm  dreaming ;  they  could  never  spare 

My  angel  from  those  azure  courts  above. 

XIX. 

Lady,  farewell !   though  brief  thy  visit  here, 
Yet  in  our  hearts  thy  memory  has  a  shrine, 

And  come  again,  we'll  give  thee  greeting  dear, 

And  with  a  welcome  wreath  thy  brows  entwine, 
MARYSVILLE,  April,  1854. 


JULIA  DEAN  HAYNE. 

Can  it  be  an  angel  gloaming, 
Gleaming  yonder  in  the  distance, 
Gleaming  on  our  startled  visions, 
Like  a  spirit  fresh  from  heaven — 
Fresh  and  rosy  come  from  Heaven — 
Come  to  gladden  us  sad  toilers, 
Toiling  here  alone  and  dreary, 
Pining  for  a  far-off  country 
Where  now  our  seats  are  vacant — 
Where  we  have  so  long  been  absent 
That  the  mists  of  Time  are  closing 
Round,  and  shutting  aut  our  memories 
Where  our  names  less  oft  are  spoken, 
Yet  toward  which  we  tarn  with  longing? 

'Twas  evening  !  and  o'erwearied 
By  the  stern  world's  harsh  encounter, 
When  my  hc^r.  seemed  scarcely  beatingv 
With  my  o'envve.ught  uody  drooping, 
And  my  o'ei^yrov-ght  brain  consuming,. 
Then  I  sought  in  Thespis'  Temple 
For  relief  and  for  "nepenthe." 

Arid  indeed  u,  very  angel 
Blazed  before  my  startled  vision, 
With  the  crown  she  wore  in  Heaven,. 
With  the  robes  she  wore  in  Heaven, 


198  JULIA  DEAK  HAYICK. 

With  the  stately  step  of  Heaven, 
And  the  signet  ring  of  Eden — 
All  but  the  harp  and  pinions. 

Form,  and  brow,  and  tapered  finger, 
Velvet  cheek  and  heaving  bosom, 
And  with  white  arms  bent  in  pleading, 
And  with  voice  like  waters  flowing, 
And  with  face  with  soul  o'erflowing, 
And  with  eyes  with  smiles  all  glowing, 
Thus  she  blazed  before  my  vision. 

When  she  smiled,  all  smiled  for  gladness ; 
When  she  wept,  they  wept  for  sadness. 

When  she  ceased,  I  blessed  her  coming 
Thus  among  us  wanderers  here  ; 
And  when  I  sought  my  pillow, 
Softly  stole  a  vision  o'er  me — 
Stole  the  vision  of  the  angel 
That  before  had  beamed  upon  me, 
Save  that  now  she  wore  her  pinions, 
And  her  harp  was  in  her  hand, 
And  she  murmured,  "I  am  going 
Back  to  my  home  in  Heaven — 
13aok  to  my  native  'Aideen,' 
.From  whence  I  came  sad  hearts  to  cheer. 

Weary  not,  uor  be  disheartened, 
When  this  toilsome  life  id  over, 
There  is  xuany  a  munsiou  wailing — 
Waiting  for  your  i'eet  to  tuter ; 
Many  a  sliiuwg,  gilded  mansion, 
Man?  a  stalely  waiting  mansion, 


JULIA  DEAN  1IAYNK. 

Waiting  for  your  soul  to  enter/' 

Then  I  wakened  from  the  vision— 

None  could  hear  me— none  were  near  me— 

Naught  could  see  me  save  the  pale  moon, 

Watching  pityingly  on  high, 

Streaming  through  my  lonely  lattice, 

From  the  azure  dappled  sky, 

And  her  beams  did  bathe  my  temples, 

And  upon  my  pillow  lie. 

Much  I  wondered  how  this  stranger 
Could  thus  mingle  with  my  visions — 

Could  thus  whisper  in  my  visions 

Of  a  resting  place  in  Heaven. 

Thus  I  thought,  and  thought,  and  wondered, 

Till  again  I  sank  and  slumbered, 

And  this  time,  so  sound  I  slumbered, 

That  no  dream  did  round  me  play, 

'Til  at  length  the  morn  was  kindled, 

Driving  every  dream  away, 

And  leaving  stern  reality 

Once  more  to  have  its  sway  ; 

Still,  even  through  the  weary  day, 

Comes  that  vision  sweet,  like  sunbeams 

Streaming  o'er  my  darkened  way, 

And  I  feel  an  unseen  finger 

Pointing  upward  and  away, 

And  a  gentle  voice  is  whisp'ring, 

"  There's  rest  at  close  of  day." 

Blessed  be  the  radiant  angel 

That  could  bring  such  dreams  to  me. 


F.URATA. 


Page  10.  "Out  of  my  memory,"  should  be  "Oe'r  my  memory." 
Page  51,  verse  19,  first  line,  "bear"  should  be  "wear." 
"       "     "rudely"  should  be  "nudely." 
"       "     "uncovered"  should  be  "unconcerned." 
Page  54.  "Sufferer"  should  be  "suffering." 
Page  80,  first  line,  '-move"  should  be  "more  waking." 

"       "     "It  all  would  bring," should  be  "Of  all'twould  bring." 
Page  109.  "Desire"  should  be  "disease." 
Page  119,  fifteenth  line.  "Beauty"  should  be  "being." 
Page  120,  eighteenth  line.  "Proudly"  should  be  "fondly." 


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